Genetics of alpha-amylases in hexaploid oat species

The inheritance of alpha-amylases was studied in six F2 populations of hexaploid oats (Avena sativa, A. byzantina, A. fatua, A. sterillis) using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A total of 22 loci was identified and described. Three main linkages of four or five loci each and an additional two pairs of linked loci were detected. It seems likely that the three main linkage groups represent homeologous chromosomes. Matching of alpha-amylase profiles of hexaploid (AACCDD), tetraploid (AACC), and diploid (AA) species was made to assign the linkage groups to particular subgenomes in the hexaploid oat. It was proposed that Linkage 1 (Amy12-Amy10-1-Amy4-Amy13-Amy11) belongs to the D-subgenome; Linkage 2 (Amy10-2, Amy9-Amy8-Amy6) belongs to the A-subgenome; and Linkage 3 (Amy7-Amy3-Amy5-Amy2) belongs to the C-subgenome of the hexaploid oat. The "malt" and "green" alpha-amylases in hexaploid and tetraploid oats have been identified. Isozymes of "green" alpha-amylase were lower in electrophoretic mobility than other isozymes and were governed by loci assigned to the A- and D-subgenomes.