Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an economically important model plant for genetics research. Barley is currently served by an increasingly comprehensive set of tools for genetic analysis that have recently been augmented by high‐density genetic linkage maps built with gene‐based single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These SNP‐based maps need to be aligned with earlier generation maps, which were used for quantitative trait locus (QTL) detection, by integrating multiple types of markers into a single map. A 2383 locus linkage map was developed using the Oregon Wolfe Barley (OWB) Mapping Population to allow such alignments. The map is based on 1472 SNP, 722 DArT, and 189 prior markers which include morphological, simple sequence repeat (SSR), Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP), and sequence tagged site (STS) loci. This new OWB map forms, therefore, a useful bridge between high‐density SNP‐only maps and prior QTL reports. The application of this bridge concept is shown using malting‐quality QTLs from multiple mapping populations, as reported in the literature. This is the first step toward developing a Barley QTL Community Curation workbook for all types of QTLs and maps, on the GrainGenes website. The OWB‐related resources are available at OWB Data and GrainGenes Tools (OWB‐DGGT) (http://wheat.pw.usda.gov/ggpages/maps/OWB/).

The Triticeae

Facultative/winter six‐row malting barley is a distinct elite germplasm pool and a valuable resource that may prove useful in meeting the challenges of climate change. To preserve its diversity and make it accessible to the research and agricultural communities, the Oregon State University and University of Minnesota barley breeding programs are publicly releasing their winter/facultative six‐row malt advanced lines named the TCAP FAC‐WIN6 (MP‐1, NSL 512632 MAP), which also function as a genomewide association studies (GWAS) panel. The FAC‐WIN6 contains 296 lines—180 facultative and 116 winter—selected for disease resistance, malt quality, and general agronomic performance. To date, all lines have data for 6892 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and phenotypic data from six experiments (representing 3 yr, eight locations), including traits such as malt quality, disease resistance, nitrogen use efficiency, and winter hardiness. The FAC‐WIN6 is one of 24 barley and wheat mapping panels and populations from the USDA‐ARS Triticeae Coordinated Agricultural Project (TCAP). As such, all of the TCAP FAC‐WIN6 genotypic and phenotypic data can be freely downloaded from the TCAP's online database, T3 (http://triticeaetoolbox.org/barley/). Preliminary GWAS have identified novel loci for wort β‐glucan, low temperature tolerance, and disease resistance. Given these results, the FAC‐WIN6 is a singular resource both for future winter six‐row barley breeding and for identifying and deploying genes for key barley traits in all backgrounds.

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 current marker technologies are on the rise and these projects demand effi cient data delivery. However, development of computational tools for advanced data integration, visualization, and analysis is still a bottleneck, even though these resources have the greatest potential impact for users who are extracting and developing hypothesis-based solutions. The Hordeum Toolbox (THT) was developed as a data resource for the Barley Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) with the novel capability of constructing user-defi ned downloadable sets of phenotype and/or genotype data for downstream analysis. Internal tools in THT enable users to create clusters of a selected group of lines based on genotype data, parse pedigrees, and select germplasm based on haplotype, phenotype, and agronomic properties. The Hordeum Toolbox can be adapted to breeding programs or collaborations to assist researchers in germplasm selection, genotype data visualization, and the integration of complex data sets for statistical analysis.

The Genome-Wide Association Studies approach was used to detect Quantitative Trait Loci associated with tocochromanol concentrations using a panel of 1,466 barley accessions. All major tocochromanol types- α-, β-, δ-, γ-tocopherol and tocotrienol- were assayed. We found 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with the concentration of one or more of these tocochromanol forms in barley, seven of which were within 2 cM of sequences homologous to cloned genes associated with tocochromanol production in barley and/or other plants. These associations confirmed a prior report based on bi-parental QTL mapping. This knowledge will aid future efforts to better understand the role of tocochromanols in barley, with specific reference to abiotic stress resistance. It will also be useful in developing barley varieties with higher tocochromanol concentrations, although at current recommended daily consumption amounts, barley would not be an effective sole source of vitamin E. However, it could be an important contributor in the context of whole grains in a balanced diet.