Candidate gene and reverse genetics approaches for the analysis of development in barley

Research in our group focuses on the genetic and molecular dissection of barley development as a mean to identify useful genes for the manipulation of plant architecture. Although progress has been made in rice and maize, the molecular bases of development are largely unknown in Triticeae species. Traits under analysis include tillering, spike morphology, and development of leaves and floral bracts. In order to identify and characterize genes involved in these processes, we have been exploiting a wide collection of developmental mutants, combining candidate gene (CG) and reverse genetics approaches. CGs for inflorescence branching and foliar development were identified based on synteny between the barley and rice genomes. CGs for meristem function and floret development were identified through molecular approaches, using as a starting point the Hooded (K) mutant. Support for specific CGs was provided by phenotypic similarities between rice and barley mutants. Validation of barley CGs is based on a range of complementarity between forward and reverse genetics approaches.