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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Cereal Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #182107
Title: BARLEY SEED OSMOLYTE CONCENTRATION AS AN INDICATOR OF PREHARVEST SPROUTING

Author
item Henson, Cynthia
item DUKE, STANLEY - UNIV OF WISCONSIN
item SCHWARZ, PAUL - ND STATE UNIV FARGO ND
item HORSLEY, RICH - ND STATE UNIV FARGO ND
item Karpelenia, Charles

Submitted to: North American Barley Research Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/15/2005
Publication Date: 7/17/2005
Citation: Henson, C.A., Duke, S.H., Schwarz, P., Horsley, R., Karpelenia, C.B. 2005. Barley seed osmolyte concentration as an indicator of preharvest sprouting [abstract]. North American Barley Research Workshop Proceedings. Paper No. 6.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that barley seed osmolyte concentrations can be used as an indicator of preharvest sprouting (PHS). Osmolyte concentrations from the 2002 Minnesota and North Dakota crops were compared to pearling and other techniques for assessment of PHS. Approximately 30% of the seed evaluated were sprouted. Samples were evaluated for osmolyte concentrations, pearling, and Stirring Number, while smaller subsets were evaluated using other methodologies. Osmolyte concentrations correlated well with pearling (r=0.822, P<0.0001) and fluorescein dibutyrate staining (r=0.835, P<0.0001). a-Amylase activity correlated less positively with osmolyte concentration (r=0.650, P<0.0001). Stirring Number, Falling Number, germination, and accelerated aging had weak negative correlations with osmolyte concentration. It is concluded that seed osmolyte concentration, a relatively simple assay, is a good indicator of PHS in barley as assessed by the pearling method or fluorescein dibutyrate staining.