Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
June 10, 2003

The research detective work toward barley varieties that reduce manure pollution potential just got easier. Scientists at the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre have identified two
"molecular markers" for the valuable low-phytate trait, which can reduce levels of phosphorous in hog manure and boost barley's feed value.

Identifying the markers is a major step for the research effort, says Dr. Graham Scoles, a molecular geneticist and professor at the university. Scoles, along with barley breeder Dr. Brian Rossnagel co-supervised the molecular marker work of graduate student Vicky Roslinsky. The low-phytate barley
breeding program is supported in part by farmers through the Barley Check-off Fund, administered by Western Grains Research Foundation.

"Molecular markers are pieces of DNA that repeated analysis shows are closely linked to the presence of genes that control a specific trait," says Scoles. "The benefit is these markers are much simpler to identify than the actual genes. This makes them an important selection tool for the breeding program. The newly-identified markers will allow breeders to easily identify the low phytate trait in the lab, rather than in other more time-consuming and costly testing, and to produce more predictable results."

With added power from molecular markers, the low phytate barley breeding program stands to benefit both the environment and the agriculture industry in Western Canada, says Rossnagel, whose low phytate work is based on a collaboration with Dr. Victor Raboy of the USDA in Aberdeen, Idaho. The region has seen a dramatic expansion in hog production over the past five years, fueling demand for efficient feedgrains.

"We see significant advantages for both barley growers and hog producers," says Rossnagel. "Growers will have a higher valued product to sell, and hog producers can reduce the impact their operations might have on the environment."

The main benefit of the markers will be to improve the efficiency and success of developing the next generation of low-phytate barley, he says. The first potential low phytate barley varieties produced by Rossnagel's program are in advanced stages of breeding, with Breeder seed of the most promising line
expected in 2005. Markers are most valuable at early breeding stages, where the work is focused on screening massive collections of barley lines to identify those with the best expression of valuable traits.

"LP" or low phytic acid barley lines are low in phytic acid - a form of phosphorus that is almost indigestible by monogastric livestock and typically ends up in manure, says Rossnagel. Approximately 70 percent of the phosphorus in conventional barley is in the form of phytic acid.

The LP barleys contain the same amount of phosphorus, but in a form that is more available for pigs and poultry, he says. The line most likely to result in the first commercial variety has 75 percent less phytic acid than conventional barley.

"There's still some phytic acid in our barley lines so we haven't eliminated phosphorus in the manure, but it's a definite improvement," says Rossnagel. Several studies in the U.S. show that feeding LP corn and barley significantly reduces the amount of phosphorus in manure, reducing the potential for
pollution.

LP barley also has good potential to reduce livestock production costs, says Rossnagel. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for both plants and animals. Canadian regulations require retail feed manufacturers to add dicalcium phosphate to every ration to meet minimum levels of available phosphorus.

"On a pound-for-pound basis, dicalcium phosphate is one of the most expensive ration ingredients," he says. "If we can reduce the amount required, there should be an economic benefit for producers."

The Barley Check-off Fund allocates approximately $600,000 annually to barley breeding programs. The Fund is administered by Western Grains Research Foundation, based on an annual check-off of $0.40/tonne, deducted from Canadian Wheat Board final payments to producers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.