Why is this population important?

Parental lines

The Montana mapping population was developed to determine the genetics underlying improvement of yield and quality in hard red spring in dryland areas of the Northern Great Plains. Parents of the cross were McNeal and Thatcher. McNeal is a modern semidwarf variety with high yield potential and strong gluten. Thatcher is a historically important standard height variety with moderate gluten strength and lower yield potential. Recombinant inbred progeny lines of both semidwarf stature and standard height will be assessed for both quality and agronomic traits.

The map

Our goal is to determine which of the phenptypic differences that distinguish old and new varieties contribute directly to yield potential, and to map important genes for yield and quality. An uderstanding of the traits and processes that have contributed to increased yield in the past will provide guidance for future selection efforts.