title: "Perfect" markers for the Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b dwarfing genes in wheat.
abstract: PCR-based markers were developed to detect the point mutations responsible for the two major semi-dwarfing genes Rht-B1b ( Rht1) and Rht-D1b ( Rht2) in wheat. These markers were validated by testing 19 wheat varieties of known Rht genotype. They included Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b dwarfs, double-mutant varieties and tall wheats. These were correctly genotyped with the Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b-specific primers, as well as markers specific for the tall alleles Rht-B1a and Rht-D1a. Using a family of doubled-haploid lines segregating for Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b, the markers were mapped to the expected homoeologous regions of chromosomes 4B and 4D, respectively. Both markers were strongly correlated with a reduction in height, accounting for 23% ( Rht-B1b) and 44% ( Rht-D1b) of the phenotypic variance in the population. These markers will have utility in marker-assisted selection of the Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b genes in wheat breeding programs.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Plant Industry, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia, marc.ellis@csiro.au
authors.forename: H.
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: W.
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Spielmeyer
authors.forename: R.
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gale
authors.forename: J.
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rebetzke
authors.forename: A.
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richards