No real genetical research on ear morphological marker genes has been reported since the latest report in BGN 25:111. As already mentioned earlier, the revisions of the descriptions on the global ear morphology genes are in progress. The publication of these descriptions will hopefully be available in a special issue of Barley Genetics Newsletter during 1997, and will then be entered into the Triticeae Genome Database "GrainGenes".

The basic Genetics Stocks of the ear morphology genes are seed increased and available from the Genetics Stock Center in Aberdeen, ID, USA. Also the backcross-derived lines to Bowman, developed by J.D. Franckowiak, Fargo, ND, USA, have been seed increased during 1996 and are stored in Aberdeen, ID.

The Swedish collection of ear morphology genes is stored at the Nordic Gene Bank, Sweden, Barley researchers and plant breeders are welcome to submit publications, discoveries or other interesting reports to the coordinator.

Seed requests can be done to the Genetics Stock Center or to the coordinator at any time.