Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important cereal crop valued for its nutritional benefits and adaptability to diverse climates. β-glucan, a soluble dietary fiber found in barley, is recognized for its health benefits, including lowering cholesterol, managing postprandial blood glucose levels, and providing antioxidative properties. However, high β-glucan content can complicate food processing due to increased viscosity and water absorption rates. This study used genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) to examine genetic variation within barley populations and to identify genetic markers associated with β-glucan content. A Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) was conducted to identify candidate genes linked to β-glucan levels. Functional annotation revealed several genes potentially involved in cellulose synthase activity and cell wall biosynthesis, including the MYB-related protein Zm38, C2 domain-containing protein, ATP synthase subunit beta (chloroplastic), ATP-dependent Clp protease proteolytic subunit, soluble inorganic pyrophosphatase, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 (cytosolic). These findings provide insights into the genetic architecture of β-glucan content in barley. By leveraging GBS and GWAS, breeders can identify and select genetic markers associated with high β-glucan content, thereby facilitating the development of superior barley varieties with enhanced nutritional and processing qualities.

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is a perennial fruit tree with high heterozygosity, consisting of 38 chromosomes (2n=38), and it takes a long time for grape seedlings to grow into fruit-bearing trees. Therefore, it is difficult to study grape genetics and breeding strategies. However, it has recently become possible to discover many SNPs through whole genome resequencing or genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) analysis. In this study, we aimed to develop high-resolution melting (HRM) markers from the detected SNPs and construct a genetic linkage map using HRM markers. In a previous study, 2,553 SNPs were identified using GBS analysis. In this study, 1,336 SNPs were used to design primer sets for HRM analysis. The developed HRM markers were used for construction of a genetic linkage map in an F₁ segregating population consisting of 192 individuals from a cross between ‘Tano Red’ (V. labrusca×V. vinifera) and ‘Ruby Seedless’ (V. vinifera). A total of 805 polymorphic HRM markers were developed, of which 363 were mapped onto the genetic linkage map of grape, with a total length of 1,453.5 cM consisting of 19 chromosomes. This SNP-based genetic linkage map and HRM markers can be used for QTL identification and marker development for important fruit traits of grape.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of starch properties on the texture of cooked noodles from Korean wheat. The genetic composition of GBSS I (granule bound starch synthase I, called waxy protein) and puroindoline, which affect the amylose content and kernel hardness, was also evaluated. Waxy wheats carrying Wx-1 null alleles showed clearly different starch properties, high swelling power, pasting viscosity, breakdown and paste clarity, unsuitable texture of cooked noodles, and low hardness and springiness. Two partial waxy soft wheats carrying single or double null alleles at the Wx-1 locus gene, and Pina-D1a and Pinb-D1a alleles exhibited a softer and higher elasticity texture of the cooked noodles than Korean wheats carrying wild-type Wx-1 null alleles. There were no significant differences in the starch properties and texture of cooked noodles according to the puroindoline composition. A principal component analysis showed a strong negative relationship between the amylose content and starch swelling power, and these traits also improved the springiness and cohesiveness of the cooked noodles prepared from non-waxy Korean wheat. Joongmo2012, a double null partial waxy wheat, showed higher starch swelling power and springiness of the cooked noodles than other non-waxy Korean wheats.