Development and Characterization of a New TILLING Population for Forward and Reverse Genetics in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Mutagenesis is an important tool in crop improvement and free of the regulatory restrictions imposed on genetically modified organisms. Barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i> L.) is a diploid species with a genome smaller than those of other members of the Triticeae crops, making it an attractive model for genetic studies in Triticeae crops. In this study, we report an ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized population in the Chinese barley landrace TX9425, which is tolerant to both abiotic and biotic stress. A TILLING (Targeting Induced Locus Lesion in Genomes) population consisting of 2000 M₂ lines was also constructed based on the CEL I enzyme with subsequent polyacrylamide electrophoresis, which decreased the cost and labor investment. The mutant phenotypes of the M₂ and M₃ generations were scored and revealed the presence of a wide spectrum of morphological diversity. The population was evaluated by screening for induced mutations in five genes of interest. A detailed analysis was performed for the <i>HvGLR3.5</i> gene and three mutations were identified by screening in 2000 M₂ lines. Two of three mutations displayed tuft and yellow striped leaves compared to the wild type. Altogether, our study shows the efficiency of screening and the great potential of the new TILLING population for genetic studies in the barley crop model system.