International Database for Barley Genes and Barley Genetic Stocks

BGS 615, Waxy spike 1, wxs1

BGN  43:160
Stock number: BGS 615
Locus name: Waxy spike 1
Locus symbol: wxs1

Previous nomenclature and gene symbolization:

None.

Inheritance:

Monofactorial recessive (2, 3).
Location is limited to chromosomes 7H or 2HL (1); wxs1.a is associated with SNP markers 1_0924 to 2_0247 (positions 107.44 to 159.73 cM) in 7H bins 07 to 09 and between 1_1118 and 2_1088 (positions 180.85 to 204.58 cM) in 2HL bins 12 to 13 of the Bowman backcross-derived line BW917 (1).

Description:

Plants with the wxs1.a gene accumulate excess surface waxes on the spike. Spikes appear normal at heading, but gradually they accumulate more surface waxes. Spikes have a distinctive white hue prior to ripening. The kernels have an irregular surface caused by poor adherence of the lemma to the caryopsis (2, 3). The wxs1.a plants of Bowman backcross-derived line BW917 were slightly shorter and lodge easier than their normal sibs. Their kernel weights were 10 to 20% lighter and grain yield was reduced by about 30% (2). Expression of wxs1.a gene is suppressed by the glossy spike mutants (2).

Origin of mutant:

A fast neutron induced mutant in Steptoe (CIho 15229) (3).

Mutational events:

wxs1.a (FN16, GSHO 3649) in Steptoe (CIho 15229) (3); wxs1.b (FN323, GSHO 3679), wxs1.c (FN331, GSHO 3680), wax1.d (FN444, GSHO 3681) in Steptoe (CIho 15229) may be alleles based on phenotypic similarity (3).

Mutant used for description and seed stocks:

wxs1.a (FN16, GSHO 3649) in Steptoe; wxs1.a in Bowman (PI 483237)*5 (GSHO 3432, BW917, NGB 22348).

References:

1. Druka, A., J. Franckowiak, U. Lundqvist, N. Bonar, J. Alexander, K. Houston, S. Radovic, F. Shahinnia, V. Vendramin, M. Morgante, N. Stein, and R. Waugh. 2011. Genetic dissection of barley morphology and development. Plant Physiol. 155:617-627.

2. Franckowiak, J.D. (Unpublished).

3. Kleinhofs, A. (Personal communications).

Prepared:

J.D. Franckowiak. 2002. Barley Genet. Newsl. 32:205.

Revised:

J.D. Franckowiak. 2010. Barley Genet. Newsl. 40:141.
A. Kleinhofs and J.D. Franckowiak. 2013. Barley Genet. Newsl. 43:160.
 


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