A major quantitative trait locus controlling phosphorus utilization efficiency under different phytate-P conditions at vegetative stage in barley

Organic phosphorus (P) is an important component of the soil P pool, and it has been proven to be a potential source of P for plants. The phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUE) and PUE related traits (tiller number (TN), shoot dry weight (DW), and root dry weight) under different phytate-P conditions (low phytate-P, 0.05 mmol L−1 and normal phytate-P, 0.5 mmol L−1) were investigated using a population consisting of 128 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) at the vegetative stage in barley. The population was derived from a cross between a P-inefficient genotype (Baudin) and a P-efficient genotype (CN4027, a Hordeum spontaneum accession). A major locus (designated Qpue.sau-3H) conferring PUE was detected in shoots and roots from the RIL population. The quantitative trait locus (QTL) was mapped on chromosome 3H and the allele from CN4027 confers high PUE. This locus explained up to 30.3 and 28.4% of the phenotypic variance in shoots under low and normal phytate-P conditions, respectively. It also explains 28.3 and 30.7% of the phenotypic variation in root under the low and normal phytate-P conditions, respectively. Results from this study also showed that TN was not correlated with PUE, and a QTL controlling TN was detected on chromosome 5H. However, dry weight (DW) was significantly and positively correlated with PUE, and a QTL controlling DW was detected near the Qpue.sau-3H locus. Based on a covariance analysis, existing data indicated that, although DW may affect PUE, different genes at this locus are likely involved in controlling these two traits.