Plant & Cell Physiology
2015 Vol.56 (12)
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The barley vernalization sensitivity genes: a chilling tale
Central to cereal breeding for improved low temperature tolerance is the role of vernalization sensitivity. Cuesta-Marcos et al (on pp. 2312–2324) used molecular-genetic and phenotypic data to assess the structure and function of barley genetic stocks carrying different configurations of the three genes responsible for vernalization sensitivity (VRN-H1, VRN-H2, and VRN-H3). They show that while low temperature tolerance is not compromised by deletion of the VRN-H2 gene, significant losses in cold tolerance occurred with substitutions at VRN-H1 and VRN-H3 loci.
The cover image shows diverse barley germplasms tested for low temperature tolerance at Morioka, Japan, in 2013-2014. Different genotypes were planted in each plot (set of double rows). The color of the foliage is diagnostic of the degree of low temperature tolerance. Image supplied by Kazuhiro Sato (Okayama University).
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