Construction of a YAC library from barley cultivar Franka and identification of YAC-derived markers linked to theRh2 gene conferring resistance to scald (Rhynchosporium secalis)

Abstract

The Rh2 resistance gene of barley (Hordeum vulgare) confers resistance against the scald pathogen (Rhynchosporium secalis). A high-resolution genetic map of the Rh2 region on chromosome 1 (7H) was established by the use of molecular markers. Tightly linked markers from this region were used to screen existing and a newly constructed yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) library of barley cv. Franka composed of 45 000 clones representing approximately two genome equivalents. Corresponding YAC clones were identified for most markers, indicating that the combined YAC library has good representation of the barley genome. The contiguous sets of YAC clones with the most tightly linked molecular markers represent entry points for map-based cloning of this resistance gene.Key words: yeast artificial chromosomes, map-based cloning, disease resistance gene, library screening, Hordeum vulgare.