RFLP mapping of genes affecting plant height and growth habit in rye

Summary RFLP mapping of chromosome 5R in the F₃ generation of a rye (Secale cereale L.) cross segregating for gibberellic acid (GA₃)-insensitive dwarfness (Ct2/ct2) and spring growth habit (Sp1/sp1) identified RFLP loci close to each of these agronomically important genes. The level of RFLP in the segregating population was high, and thus allowed more than half of the RFLP loci to be mapped, despite partial homozygosity in the parental F₂ plant. Eight further loci were mapped in an unrelated F₂ rye population, and a further two were placed by inference from equivalent genetic maps of related wheat chromosomes, allowing a consensus map of rye chromosome 5R, consisting of 29 points and spanning 129 cM, to be constructed. The location of the ct2 dwarfing gene was shown to be separated from the segment of the primitive 4RL translocated to 5RL, and thus the gene is probably genetically unrelated to the major GA-insensitive Rht genes of wheat located on chromosome arms 4BS and 4DS. The map position of Sp1 is consistent both with those of wheat Vrn1 and Vrn3, present on chromosome arms 5AL and 5DL, respectively, and with barley Sh2 which is distally located on chromosome arm 7L (= 5HL).