*4.3. Evaluation of Germinability under Cold Stress*

The evaluation of the germination ratio under cold stress was performed following standard protocol. The seeds broke out of dormancy at 50 ◦C after 48 h. Further matured and fully-filled grains were sterilized with 0.1% mercury chloride solution for about 10 min, rinsed with tap water 3 to 4 times, and deionization was performed with deionized water 3 to 4 times. One hundred grains per line were placed on a filter paper in a petri dish, and 10 mL of distilled water was added. The petri dishes were then put in an incubator at the recommended temperature of 15 ◦C. To avoid any kind of reactions and contaminations, the tap water was changed every two days. The germination of the seeds was noted carefully every day. The germination rate on the 6th day was used for QTL mapping because of the large differences observed between the two parents. The germination was noted three times for each line.
