ARS | Publication request: SOURCES OF VARIATION IN OAT KERNEL SIZE

Submitted to: American Oat Workers Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 2, 2002
Publication Date: April 2, 2002
Citation: Doehlert, D.C., McMullen, M.S., Riveland, N.R. 2002. Sources of variation in oat kernel size [abstract]. In: Proceedings of American Oat Workers Conference. p. 21.

Technical Abstract: Oat kernel size uniformity is important to the oat milling industry because of the size fractionations that occur in the milling process. We measured frequency of single, double and triple kernel spikelets and kernel mass of primary, secondary and tertiary kernels from each spikelet type (for a total of six kernel types) to determine relative influence of kernel type, panicle position, genotype and environment on oat kernel size for ten oat cultivars grown at four locations. Kernel type was the most important factor affecting kernel size. Primary kernels from triple kernel spikelets were larger than primary kernels from double kernel spikelets. Tertiary kernels were the smallest. Environments that produced larger kernels also produced higher frequencies of triple kernel spikelets. Some genotypes produced no triple kernel spikelets in any environment, whereas others produced varying proportions, depending on the environment. Kernels closer to the top of the panicle were found to be larger than those near the base. The frequency of tertiary kernels was neither associated with lower groat percentages, nor with increased proportions of undersized kernels. Most undersized kernels were kernel types other than tertiary.