Barley

Australian Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Genome data contribution to the International Barley Sequencing Consortium (IBSC). Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is among the world’s earliest domesticated and important crop plants, cultivated worldwide for its grain nutritional and malting qualities. Barley susceptibility to disease and environmental factors has a large economic impact worldwide. To better understand the molecular characteristics of this important crop, the International Barley Sequencing Consortium (IBSC) has undertaken sequencing a reference genome for barley. Assembling large plant species is however problematic due to high repeat content and duplicated segmental regions across chromosomes. Whole genome sequencing attempts have produced a draft assembly that is fragmented and too incomplete to represent a reference genome. "Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important crop plant worldwide. In this project we undertakes the assembly of the first reference sequence for chromosome 7H. A reference genome sequence is vital to determine gene structure and identify key molecular features important for increased yield, agronomic performance and malting quality. The production of a barley reference sequence supports genome wide variant analysis. Future sequence research activities include looking at high yielding local strains susceptible to Barley Powdery Mildew (BPM) that have developed a mutation called CYP51, which reduces susceptibility to triazole fungicides. A Canadian strain susceptible to scald and speckled leaf blotch with moderate resistance to stem rust (carries Rpg1 gene), and finally strains from extreme habitats such Tibet and Israel to look at unique adaptations to drought and harsh environmental conditions.