Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) possesses a large and highly repetitive genome of 5.1 Gb that has hindered the development of a complete sequence. In 2012, the International Barley Sequencing Consortium released a resource integrating whole-genome shotgun sequences with a physical and genetic framework. However, because only 6278 bacterial artificial chromosome...
BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts that are 200 bp or longer, do not encode proteins,
and potentially play important roles in eukaryotic gene regulation. However, the number, characteristics and
expression inheritance pattern of lncRNAs in maize are still largely unknown.
RESULTS: By exploiting available public EST databases, maize...
New sources of genetic diversity must be incorporated into plant breeding programs if they are to continue increasing grain
yield and quality, and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Germplasm collections provide a source of genetic and
phenotypic diversity, but characterization of these resources is required to increase their utility...
The use of DNA markers in public sector plant breeding is now the norm. Such markers are common across breeding programs and this commonality enables and enhances collaboration. Therefore, large collaborative research projects that measure several phenotypes across multiple environments coupled with the expanding amount of genotype data attainable with...