Quantitative trait loci for waterlogging tolerance in a barley cross of Franklin x YuYaoXiangTian Erleng and the relationship between waterlogging and salinity tolerance

Breeding for waterlogging tolerance is an important and challenging objective in high rainfall areas across many countries in the world, as evaluation of the tolerance in the field is difficult and not reliable. Molecular markers can be effectively used in a breeding program to indirectly select waterlogging tolerance. In this study, 172 doubled haploid (DH) lines originating from a cross of YuYaoXiangTian Erleng (YYXT) and ‘Franklin’ were used to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling waterlogging tolerance. For the purpose of comparing QTL from different DH populations, a consensus map was constructed using six different populations. A total of four QTL were identified, which controlled 6.2 to 30.1% of the phenotypic variation. Among these QTL, one located on chromosome 6H was not identified in previous studies. Two of the QTL were located at similar positions to QTL for salinity tolerance that had been reported earlier. Further analysis showed some relationships between waterlogging and salinity tolerance. Therefore, waterlogging and salinity tolerance can be improved simultaneously by marker-assisted selection.