Genetic analysis of toxic aluminum ion tolerance in barley

Abstract

The genetic control of high tolerance of toxic aluminum ions in barley Hordeum vulgare L. has been studied. Cultivar Faust I (c-24612) and accession c9736 from Karelia have been compared with aluminum-sensitive cv. Colsess IV (accession c-24626). Analysis of F1, F2BC1, F3, and F4 progenies has shown that the development of roots of cv. Faust I in water medium with aluminum ions is determined by one (AlpF1) or two (AlpF1 and AlpF2) genes. The development of roots of accession c9736 is determined by two genes, AlpK1 and AlpK2. The genes have not been not tested for nonidentity. The high tolerance of Faust I shoots are determined by one major tolerance factor and one dominant inhibitor gene, which hampers the manifestation of the dominant tolerance gene. The penetrance of the inhibitor gene may be incomplete. The aluminum sensitivity of roots and 7-day shoots of cv. Faust I is determined by different genetic factors. The response of barley plants to aluminum ions may be determined by small-effect genes.