Natural Variation Among Barley Kernels

In maize breeding studies, it is becoming common to determine the ear and kernel characteristics by image analysis. While current methods focus on measurements that can be obtained directly by image analysis, it has not been adequately addressed whether different parameters such as weight and viability can be estimated using these measurements. This study aimed to determine whether it is possible to estimate the ear weight (g), kernel weight (g), single kernel weight (g) and viability (1/0) status of maize with the help of features (area, perimeter, width, length) extracted from images of the ear and kernel samples. In this study, 233 ear and 1242 grain samples belonging to 13 maize genotypes were used as material. Digital images of the ear samples were taken with a 5 MP camera and from the kernel samples with a desktop scanner. The ear weight reference data (DV1) and the kernel weight reference data (DV2) were obtained by weighing each sample on a precision balance. Single kernel reference data (DV3) was obtained with the measurements of single kernel weights. Kernel samples underwent paper germination test and reference data (DV4) related to viability was created. Regression models were developed by using the features obtained from image analysis (area, perimeter, width, height) for each reference data set as the predictor variable. As a result of the study, it was seen that the ear weight and kernel weight can be estimated with the help of the parameters extracted from the image analysis. While moderate success was achieved in the determination of single seed weight, it was difficult to determine the viability status based on the morphometric measurements of a single kernel in maize.

The quality traits of a single grain kernel can give index to the overall quality of agrain bulk, because it is individual kernels that comprise a grain bulk. Therefore, the single-kernel drying behavior is important to understand the overall quality of grain. A Matlab andVisual C++ based software package was developed in this study for describing single-kerneldrying, tempering and internal stress analysis. Non-linear and transient partial differential heatand mass transfer equations describing the single kernel drying and tempering processes weresolved using the finite element method. Temperature- and moisture-dependent viscoelasticproperties were applied to the stress analysis of a single rice kernel. A graphical user interface,and 2D/3D graphics for temperature, moisture content and stress changes were developed. Thesimulation results were validated by thin-layer drying data and subsequent temperingexperiments of rough rice. This simulation tool can be used for predicting temperature, moisturecontent and internal stress distribution in a single kernel.

Grain dietary fiber content is an important health-promoting trait of bread wheat. A dominant dietary fiber component of wheat is the cell wall polysaccharide arabinoxylan and the goatgrass Aegilops biuncialis has high β-glucan content, which makes it an attractive gene source to develop wheat lines with modified fiber composition. In order to support introgression breeding, this work examined genetic variability in grain β-glucan, pentosan, and protein content in a collection of Ae. biuncialis. A large variation in grain protein and edible fiber content was revealed, reflecting the origin of Ae. biuncialis accessions from different eco-geographical habitats. Association analysis using DArTseq-derived SNPs identified 34 QTLs associated with β-glucan, pentosan, water-extractable pentosan, and protein content. Mapping the markers to draft chromosome assemblies of diploid progenitors of Ae. biuncialis underlined the role of genes on chromosomes 1Mb, 4Mb, and 5Mb in the formation of grain β-glucan content, while other QTLs on chromosome groups 3, 6, and 1 identified genes responsible for total- and water-extractable pentosan content. Functional annotation of the associated marker sequences identified fourteen genes, nine of which were identified in other monocots. The QTLs and genes identified in the present work are attractive targets for chromosome-mediated gene transfer to improve the health-promoting properties of wheat-derived foods.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an annual cereal crop that belongs to the grass family Poaceae of the tribe Triticeae. Due to the establishment and production capacity of malt and beer factories in Ethiopia, malt barley production demand increased from time to time. Eight released malt barley varieties were evaluated in four environments in Wag-himra and Lasta districts in the main production season for two years (2016 and 2017). The objective of the trial was to identify a high yielder and standard-quality malting barley variety for production. The trial was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications on a plot size of 1.2 m width with that of 2.5 m length. The results revealed that there was a highly significant difference in grain yield and quality traits ( p < 0.05 ). The kernel protein and starch content of the varieties ranged from 9.85 to 11 and 63–65%. The thousand kernel weight of the varieties was in the range of 32.5 to 46.4 g. EH1847 (3340 kg ha−1), IBON174/03 (3351 kg ha−1), and Bahati (3220 kg ha−1) were the first three best performing high yielder and best varieties that fulfilled quality parameter requirements set by the National Standard Authority for malting barley. Therefore, these varieties are recommended for production in the Wag-himra and Lasta agroecologies for their high yield, kernel size, and kernel protein content. Further study is required on agronomic practices and brewing quality attributes in malt barley.

Variation in the kernel (1 → 3) (1 → 4)-β- D-Glucan content of oat cultivars and wild Avena species and its relationship to other characteristics

This research was undertaken to quantify the structure of protein variation in a commercial hard red winter (HRW) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production system. This information will augment our knowledge and practices of sampling, segregating, marketing, and varietal development to improve uniformity and end‐use quality of HRW wheat. The allocation of kernel protein variance to specific components in southwestern Kansas was performed by a hierarchical sampling design. Sources of variability included Field, Plot (plots within a field), Row (rows within a plot), Plant (plants within a row), Head (heads within a plant), Position (spikelets at a specific position on a head), Spikelet (spikelets within a position), and Kernel (kernels within a spikelet). Individual kernels (10 152) were collected from 46 fields planted to one of four cultivars: Jagger, 2137, Ike, or TAM 107. Kernels were evaluated for protein concentration by a single kernel characterization system equipped with a diode array near‐infrared (NIR) spectrometer. For the cultivars 2137 and Ike, all sources of variability except Spikelet were statistically significant (P < 0.05). For Jagger, all sources except Row were significant and for TAM 107, variation attributed to Field and Plant were not significant. Field and Plot sources of variability contributed the greatest amount of variance within the hierarchy for Jagger, 2137, and Ike. For TAM 107, Plot was the greatest source of variability. The least squares means were calculated for the fixed effect Position. Jagger, Ike, and 2137 showed a significant protein gradient in which the highest protein concentration occurred at the base of the head and the lowest protein content at the top. For TAM 107, the greatest protein content was found at the base. Results of this study provide a benchmark for future efforts to improve wheat consistency through breeding and crop management. The protein variance structure described during this study also defines practical limits for managing and marketing protein content in HRW.

Heavy rain during the wheat seedling stage, drought in the flowering stage, and high temperatures with high humidity prior to harvest all contribute to substantial reductions in overall wheat yields in the Chinese province of Sichuan. In this study, we explored the effects of Rht-B1 and Yr18 in Chuannong16 (CN16) and a population derived from breeding line 30481. The population of 188 recombinant inbred lines was genotyped using an iSelect 90,000 single nucleotide polymorphism array and two functional markers for Rht-B1 and Yr18, and was phenotyped over 2 years in replicated trials. Grain yield was highly correlated with leaf color, plant height, and thousand kernel weights, and was negatively correlated with sedimentation. Plant height was positively correlated with grain yield and leaf color and negatively correlated with the number of tillers, thousand kernel weight, and sedimentation volume. In addition, sedimentation was negatively correlated with all five of the other traits (plant height, leaf color, tillers per square meter, grain yield, and thousand kernel weight) using both genetic and phenotypic correlation. The semi-dwarf allele Rht-B1b reduced plant height, grain yield, and thousand kernel weight. Yr18 did not affect stripe rust or other agronomic traits in the population examined. A total of 15 quantitative trait locii (QTLs) were identified for seven traits over 2 years, except for grain yield. One pleiotropic QTL on chromosome 4B was significantly associated with leaf color, thousand kernel weight, and plant height, but it was in different scaffolds with Rht-B1 on the physical map. We found a co-segregation SNP marker with Yr18 in our population; they were not in the same region on the physical map. This may be due to the relatively small population size and limited recombinant events in the population.

A calibration transfer optimized single kernel near-infrared spectroscopic method.

In this paper, we describe results from a preliminary experiment on the development of a near infrared reflectance (NIR) calibration for single kernel (SK) % protein content in barley. The SKNIR calibration was developed using kernels from breeding lines and commercial barley varieties with a range in protein content of 7.3% to 16.6% as is . The calibration model produced an R2 = 0.903, while the validation set had a R2 = 0.837 with a standard error of cross validation and a standard error of prediction of 0.8% for both the calibration and validation sets respectively. The calibration was then used to estimate the variation in % protein of 4,000 single kernels from a commercial variety (Gairdner at 9.3% protein) by segregating kernels into six sub-groups ( 10.5% as is ). These sub-groups then had additional grain quality tests carried out including grain size, thousand kernel weight and NIR estimates of % protein, starch, hardness and barley hot water extract (HWE). The results showed an increase in grain size, and a decrease in HWE from the low to high % protein sub-groups. While only a single variety was used in the SKNIR protein segregation study, the results suggested SKNIR could be used to screen for the variation in grain quality traits based on variation in protein content.

Ethephon (2‐chloroethyl phosphonic acid) reduces lodging in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) by shortening straw, but the optimal rate and growth stage of application, both of which may interact with cultivar and environment, are unclear, especially for two‐row barley in North America. Field studies in Quebec in 1985 and 1986 evaluated the response of ‘Leger’ six‐row and ‘Birka’ two‐row barley to ethephon applied at varying rates, growth stages, and times of day. The two‐row cultivars Rodeo and Micmac were also included in one experiment. Lodging was slight or absent in all experiments. The taller Leger was usually shortened more than Birka, largely due to greater shortening of the peduncle. Late boot applications of ethephon consistently shortened straw, but the window of effective application began at the flag leaf stage and extended for more than 1 wk for Birka, while for Leger it was about 4 d, but differed phenologically between years. Heading was delayed by ethephon. In Rodeo and Birka, ethephon often reduced the degree of spike emergence from the flag leaf sheath. Incomplete spike emergence may have contributed to reduced kernel and test weights, particularly with applications from the flag leaf until the late boot stage. Ethephon increased Leger yield by up to 15% in one experiment under the favorable conditions of 1985. In 1986, a wet year, yield in one experiment was reduced by 11% by the higher ethephon rate (480 g a.i. ha−1), due to reduced spikes per square meter. Birka yield was reduced (P = 0.06) by 6% by the higher rate (480 g a.i. ha−1) in the 1986 application date study. Harvest index of Rodeo and Birka was reduced due to reduced tiller survival following application of ethephon at 480 to 500 g a.i. ha−1. Yield component compensation usually occurred between spikes per square meter and kernel weight, particularly for two‐row cultivars. Height was reduced more by applications at 0400 h and 0600 h than later in the day. Birka kernel weight was reduced with morning or evening applications, while Leger kernel weight was little affected by application time of day. In the absence of lodging and under conditions of environmental stress, ethephon applied at rates over 240 g a.i. ha−1 may reduce yields, particularly of two‐row barley, for which spike emergence may be severely reduced.

Ten barley cultivars, including covered and naked types, varying in their content of total starch, amylose, protein and β-glucan, were grown in different years, at various locations and nitrogen fertilization rates. The barley cultivars showed a large variation in yield (3250–6690 kg ha−1), thousand kernel weight (40–50 g), bulk weight (660–815 g litre−1), starch (51–67% of DM), protein (8–15% of DM), β-glucan (3·5–5·9% of DM) and ash (1·9–2·5% of DM). The naked cultivar SW 8775 had the highest starch content and the high amylopectin cultivar (SW 7142-92, waxy) had the lowest. The waxy starch barleys had the highest protein content, while the normal starch barleys (Golf and Lina) had the lowest protein content at each N-rate. Higher content of β-glucan was found in the waxy cultivars (5·0–5·9% of DM) and high amylose cultivars (5·6–5·9% of DM) than in the other barley cultivars (3·5–4·8% of DM). The results were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and principal component analysis (PCA), and both confirmed that nitrogen fertilization rate was of great importance for the protein content. PCA revealed that protein and β-glucan were negatively correlated with starch and yield. The ANOVA showed that the cultivar factor was significant for all variables, but especially for the β-glucan content, which responded differently to the nitrogen fertilization rate during the 2 years. In this study, environmental effects were generally of less importance than the barley cultivars for the different variables. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry.

Almond is a temperate fruit tree whose yield and quality are strongly influenced by rootstocks. This study evaluated pomological traits, yield, antioxidant capacity, total phenol content, and fatty acid composition of the cultivars ‘Ferragnes’ and ‘Ferraduel’ grafted onto Garnem, GF-677, and seedling rootstocks over two years. The assessed pomological traits included shelled fruit and kernel weight, fruit dimensions, and kernel ratio. Palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids were identified as the major fatty acids. Antioxidant activity and total phenol content ranged from 4.80 to 9.50 μmol TE g⁻¹ fresh weight (FW) and from 56.21 to 133.14 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹ FW, respectively, with seedling rootstocks showing higher values than Garnem and GF-677. Average shelled fruit and kernel weights were highest in the seedling/‘Ferraduel’ combination (7.43 g and 1.63 g, respectively) and lowest in Garnem/‘Ferragnes’ (4.71 g and 1.53 g, respectively). In this study, both seedling and GF-677 rootstocks led to higher shell and kernel weights than Garnem in both varieties. Compared to Garnem and GF-677 rootstocks, the Ferraduel and Ferragnes grafted onto seedling rootstock produced the lowest yield. Although Garnem rootstock produced the highest yield, GF-677 resulted in higher shelled and kernel weights and better fruit dimensions. Overall, GF-677 rootstock was identified as the most suitable option for the cultivation of both ‘Ferragnes’ and ‘Ferraduel’, as it combined high yield with favourable pomological characteristics.

Development of stress tolerant cultivars is an objective of many breeding programs, but success has been limited by inadequate screening techniques, and the lack of genotypes that show clear differences in response to well defined environmental stresses. Twenty spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes were evaluated over a range of water and high temperature‐stressed environments (15 location‐years) to establish standards for evaluation of stress tolerance screening techniques and to characterize genotypic stress tolerance and adaptation to stress environments. Overall and postanthesis stress tolerances were determined using grain yield and kernel weight responses, respectively. Stress tolerances were estimated using stress susceptibility indices (S), grain yields and kernel weights predicted for a hypothetical severe‐stress environment from regression parameters, and yields and kernel weights per se in five stress environments. Yield‐based stress tolerance estimates were correlated among all estimation methods. The stress susceptibility index identified stress tolerant genotypes that did not have outstanding yield performance per se in stress environments due to low yield potential, but which minimized yield loss under stress conditions. Kernel weightbased estimates of postanthesis stress tolerance using S were not correlated with predicted kernel weights in a hypothetical severestress environment or with kernel weights per se in five stress environments. Genotypes evaluated in this study exhibited a wide range in stress tolerance and adaptation to stress‐prone environments. Stress tolerant and susceptible genotypes were identified to use in evaluation of stress tolerance screening techniques. Used in tandem, regression analyses of genotype ✕ environment interactions, stress susceptibility indices, and stress performance per se, provided a more complete description of genotypic stress tolerances than did any analysis used alone.

Identification of unconditional and conditional QTL for oil, protein and starch content in maize

A study was undertaken during November, 2021–June, 2022 to evaluate twenty-four varieties of cashew collected from Cashew Research Station, All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Cashew, OUAT, Bhubaneswar. The experiment was laid on experimental design RBD comprises of 24 treatments and 2 replications investigated for the physical, processing and quality attributes which included nut weight, breadth, length, thickness, kernel weight, shelling percentage, kernel count, percentage yield, moisture %, protein, fat, carbohydrate and sugar content of whole kernel. Cashew, an important nut crop in the world market, including India and this influenced adaptation of breeding program for targeting higher yield and profitability with good quality kernel of consumer’s interest. Results indicated that significant differences were observed for various traits for studied cultivars. Highest nut weight (8.33 g), nut length (3.90 cm), nut width (2.76 cm) and nut thickness (19.45 mm) were observed in BPP-8 followed by Jagannath. However, for processing attributes best results observed in Jagannath for characters kernel weight (2.49 g), shelling percentage (32.02), percent yield of whole kernel (85.95%) and kernel count (182) followed by Balabhadra, BPP-8 and Vengrula-7. Balabhadra showed best results for quality attributes like Protein content (21.91%) and fat content (42.87%) while vengurla-7 (H-255) showed best quality attributes like carbohydrate content (22.05%) and sugar content (0.220 %). Out of 24 commercial cashew genotypes BPP- 8 and Jagannath variety exhibited better yield and processing quality.