| | Loss in barley seed viability is determined more by the growing environment than genetic characteristics, although there is range in genetic material. The goal of the study was to understand and quantify the degree of non-visible early sprouting using Rapid Viscosity Analysis (RVA) with known environmental conditions at mid grain fill, physiological maturity, and harvest maturity. Cultivars Harrington (for North America), Alexis (Europe) and CDC Dolly (feed barley with low alpha-amylase enzyme activity) were greenhouse grown, and treated at 15 different combinations of temperature (5 to 22oC) and RH (60 to 95%) for 1 to 9 days. The degree of early sprouting, caused by specific temperature and humidity conditions, was measured by alpha amylase activity, RVA and germination tests. High RVA numbers (>300) appeared to be associated with high starch viscosity and zero or no sprouting. RVA numbers lower than 180 were associated with some level of germination, even when not visible to the naked eye. Lower temperatures were associated with lower or decreasing RVA numbers, and a moderate to high relative humidity accelerated this detectable non-visible sprouting. Samples from 2001 were variable and treatments (temperature, RH) did not always rank logically. When combined with 2002 data, we anticipate this effect will be reduced. Rapid Viscosity Analysis may be a promising technique for screening breeding material to reduce non-visible early sprouting in future cultivars.
Rosalind Ball, Darlene Kolody (Plant Sciences) and Eric LeFol (Crop Development Centre)
University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8
Presented at the 3rd Canadian Barley Symposium, June 19-20, 2003 |
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