ARS | Publication request: Effect of the hull fraction on the beta-glucan contents of barley and oat grains

Submitted to: Cereal Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 23, 2011
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The hull fraction of barley and oat grains dilutes the beta-glucan (BG) content in whole grains. Genetic study of BG, particularly QTL mapping, requires accurate measurement of BG content in each F2 plant. To define the hull dilution impact in different backgrounds and growth conditions will help better score the BG phenotype. BG contents were analyzed in five hulled barley lines, seven hulled oat lines, and one F2 population derived from a cross of hulled and hulless barley lines. The results demonstrated effects of genetic backgrounds and growth conditions in barley and oat as well as the inheritance of the hull fraction impact in barley. The results from this study provide clues for accurate expectations of BG gain in progenies of specific crosses between hulled and hulless genotypes in barley and oat.

Technical Abstract: The hull fraction of barley and oat grains affects the beta-glucan (BG) content in whole grains. To evaluate the impact of the hull fraction on BG content in various genetic backgrounds and growth conditions, BG contents were analyzed in five hulled barley lines, seven hulled oat lines, and one F2 population derived from a cross of hulled and hulless barley lines. The results demonstrated that genetic backgrounds have significant effects on the BG levels while growth conditions have minimum impact. Genotype dependent variation of the hull fraction effect on BG content transmitted strongly into offspring. The results from this study provide clues for accurate expectations of BG gain in progenies of specific crosses between hulled and hulless genotypes in barley and oat.