Transfer and mapping of the shoot-differentiation locus Shd1 in barley chromosome 2

The locus Shd1, which we previously mapped to the long arm of chromosome 2 of Hordeum vulgare L., controls the differentiation of shoots from immature barley embryo callus. The locus has major effects and its action explains more than 65% of the total genetic variance in the shoot-differentiation rate. The allele of cultivar Kanto Nakate Gold designated Shd1K has a significant positive effect on the shoot-differentiation rate, whereas Shd1A of cultivar Azumamugi does not promote shoot differentiation. To identify gene products and characterize the function of Shd1, a set of near-isogenic lines is essential. In this study we produced BC5F1 plants by repeated backcrossing of 'Azumamugi' to F1 plants ('Azumamugi' x 'Kanto Nakate Gold'). The BC5F1 plants were examined for their RFLP genotype and for the shoot-differentiation ability of immature embryo-derived callus. The results indicated that the Shd1 locus was located in a chromosomal region between MWG2081 and MWG503 that flanks the MWG801, cMWG699, v (ear type), and MWG865 loci. Shd1K from 'Kanto Nakate Gold' functions effectively in the genetic background of 'Azumamugi', an indication that backcross breeding is possible for production of near-isogenic lines that would be very suitable for tissue culture.