Specific weight of barley grains is determined by traits affecting packing efficiency and by grain density.
Hordeum vulgare
grain dimensions
grain quality
malting barley
Journal
Journal of the science of food and agriculture
ISSN: 1097-0010
Titre abrégé: J Sci Food Agric
Pays: England
ID NLM: 0376334
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
30 Mar 2019
30 Mar 2019
Historique:
received:
03
05
2018
revised:
21
09
2018
accepted:
29
10
2018
pubmed:
6
11
2018
medline:
14
3
2019
entrez:
3
11
2018
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Specific weight influences the market value of barley grain, and in malting barley a high specific weight is thought to result in an increased malt output. However, links between specific weight and malt output have not yet been established. We hypothesised that packing efficiency and grain density will each contribute to specific weight. These traits would have implications for the malting process, highlighting the need for understanding what grain traits contribute to specific weight, before we can predict its effect on malting performance and efficiency. We report that specific weight is a product of grain density and packing efficiency, in our study proportionally contributing 48.5% and 36.5% to variation in specific weight, respectively. We report that packing efficiency is determined by grain dimensions, and is negatively correlated with the sum of grain length and depth. Therefore shorter, thinner grains can result in an increased specific weight, which is likely to be detrimental for malting performance. We also demonstrate that among cultivars which have grains with contrasting size traits, the same specific weight can be achieved through differing grain densities. Our results demonstrate that both grain dimensions and grain density must be considered jointly to optimise specific weight, and that the relationship between specific weight and malting performance and efficiency needs to be carefully considered with respect to how a high specific weight is achieved. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Specific weight influences the market value of barley grain, and in malting barley a high specific weight is thought to result in an increased malt output. However, links between specific weight and malt output have not yet been established. We hypothesised that packing efficiency and grain density will each contribute to specific weight. These traits would have implications for the malting process, highlighting the need for understanding what grain traits contribute to specific weight, before we can predict its effect on malting performance and efficiency.
RESULTS
RESULTS
We report that specific weight is a product of grain density and packing efficiency, in our study proportionally contributing 48.5% and 36.5% to variation in specific weight, respectively. We report that packing efficiency is determined by grain dimensions, and is negatively correlated with the sum of grain length and depth. Therefore shorter, thinner grains can result in an increased specific weight, which is likely to be detrimental for malting performance. We also demonstrate that among cultivars which have grains with contrasting size traits, the same specific weight can be achieved through differing grain densities.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that both grain dimensions and grain density must be considered jointly to optimise specific weight, and that the relationship between specific weight and malting performance and efficiency needs to be carefully considered with respect to how a high specific weight is achieved. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
2548-2555Subventions
Organisme : Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
ID : 21130047
Informations de copyright
© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.