Seed of various male sterile stocks (MSS) were obtained from the collection of male sterile mutants (Hockett and Reed, 1981; Hockett, 1984). Allelism tests were completed for two genetic male sterile mutants, msg,,h1 (MSS465) and msg,,j1 (MSS517). The data indicated that neither mutant is allelic at the msg1 through msg11 and msg13 through msg36 loci or to each other (Table 1). However, msg,,h1 was found to allelic to msg,,jx (MSS529). Subsequent studies showed that both msg,,h1 and msg,,jx are closely linked to the v locus on chromosome 2 (Franckowiak, unpublished). Prior to completion of allelism tests for the male sterile mutant msg,,ff (MSS407), it was found to be allelic to msg,,dm (MSS361) mutant (Table 1). Thus, allelism test data from both mutants were combined to demonstrate that mutants at this locus are not alleles at previously identified loci in the genetic male sterile series (Table 1). Ahokas (1978) reported that msg,,dm is allelic to msg,,dn (MSS362) and this was confirmed by Hockett (1979). Linkage studies have indicated that both msg,,dn and msg,,ff map close to o locus on chromosome 6 (Franckowiak, unpublished).

The spontaneous mutant msg,,h1 was isolated by C. A. Foster from the cultivar 'Clermont' (Hockett, 1984) while msg,,jx was found in the semidwarf mutant line 17:17:2 which was isolated from 'Birgitta' by Dr. L. Lehman (Franckowiak, unpublished). In the field at Fargo and Langdon, ND, msg,,h1 and msg,,jx segregates in F₂ populations were observed to have partial seed set (10 to 70%), but mutants from similar populations were completely male sterile when grown in the greenhouse. Morphological and inheritance data published by Hockett (1984) indicate that msg,,h1 has nearly normal anther development and is controlled by a recessive gene. Hockett (1984) reported that in the 1983 field trial at Bozeman msg,,h1 had no selfed seed when bagged, but in 1986 and 1987 msg,,jx had 9 and 6% selfing under bags, respectively (Hockett, 1988).

The spontaneous mutant msg,,j1 was collected by P. Hagberg from the cultivar 'Ingrid' and described by Hockett (1984). It has nearly normal anther size and filament elongation, but no stomium. Ahokas (1976) isolated and described the mutants msg,,dm and msg,,dn as having normal anthers, but pollen grain pore development was abnormal. The mutant msg,,ff was obtained from the cultivar 'Sabarlis' by C. A. Foster and described by Hockett (1984). The anthers, as would be expected, appeared normal.

Based on the results reported above, we suggest the following new numerical designations for these male sterile mutants: msg37h1 (Clemont), msg37jx (17:17:2), msg38j1 (Ingrid), msg39dm (P-11, CI 15836), msg39dn (H-31, CI 15837), and MS939ff (Sabarlis). Assignment of gene symbol msg36 to the msg,,bk mutant was suggested previously by Franckowiak and Hockett (1987).

References:

Ahokas, H. 1976. Male sterile mutants of barley. III. Additional inaperturate mutants. Barley Genet. Newsl. 6:4-6.

Ahokas, H. 1978. Male sterile mutants of barley. VI. Tests of restoration by the cytoplasm of Hordeum bulbosum and reports of new mutants. Barley Genet. Newsl. 8:12-15.

Franckowiak, J. D., and E. A. Hockett. 1987. Allelism tests for the genetic male sterile msg,,bk. Barley Genet. Newsl. 17:77-78.

Hockett, E. A. 1979. The genetic male sterile barley collection. Barley Genet. Newsl. 9:124-128.

Hockett, E. A. 1984. Coordinator's Report. The genetic male sterile barley collection. Barley Genet. Newsl. 14:70-75.

Hockett, E. A. 1988. The genetic male sterile barley collection. Barley Genet. Newsl. 18:71-73.

Hockett, E. A., and D. A. Reid. 1981. Spring and winter genetic male-sterile barley stocks. Crop Sci. 21:655-659.