ISSN:
1573-5060
Keywords:
Avena sativa
;
chlorophyll content
;
leaf color
;
leaf thickness
;
senescence
;
protein breeding programs
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Summary Growth room experiments were conducted to study associations of grain protein content with properties of seedling leaf sections of oats (Avena sativa L.) using (1) 10 cultivars differing genetically in grain % protein, and (2) 10 populations of a single high protien cultivar (Hinoat) differing phenotypically in grain % protein. These populations, which were derived from a nitrogen fertilizer experiment, had grain protein concentrations which varied over the whole range displayed by the high and low protein cultivars when the latter were tested in a conventional field trial. Seedling leaf % protein was closely associated with grain % protein in both (1) and (2). Chlorophyll content per unit leaf area and leaf dry weight per unit leaf area were significantly higher in the high than in the low protein cultivars, and were significantly higher in all the Hinoat populations than in the low protein cultivars. Excised seedling leaf sections were placed on filter paper moistened with 1 ppm kinetin solution and kept in the dark at 25°C. After 96 h chlorophyll content per unit leaf area was again significantly higher in the high protein cultivars and in all the Hinoat populations than in the low protein cultivars, and the consequent differences in leaf colour were then readily visible. Absolute amounts of chlorophyll lost per unit leaf area were similar in all cultivars and populations, but the low protein cultivars showed a greater proportional loss (as % of initial content). A colour scale was used to visually rate the senesced leaf sections. The visual rating allowed the rapid separation of the high and low protein cultivars, and there was no significant variation in the ratings of the Hinoat populations. It is suggested that this procedure may be useful in the early selection phases of protein breeding programs for screening large populations rapidly at the seedling stage to detect genetic differences in potential grain protein content.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00041528
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