Genotypic variation in oil and protein in barley grain

Abstract

Abstract Oil content and composition, protein content and grain weight have been estimated in 86 barley genotypes from diverse sources grown in a replicated field experiment. Overall range between genotypes in composition was: oil content, 1.9‐4.1 %; palmitic, 21.4‐28.7%; stearic, 0.6‐1.8%; oleic, 10.4‐16.9%; linoleic, 52.4‐58.3%; linolenic, 4.5‐7.3%. Modern European varieties varied from 2.2‐2.8% oil, and oil content was higher in two‐rowed than six‐rowed types and higher in naked than husked types. Protein content was higher in naked than husked types, but there was no significant difference between the protein content of two‐ and six‐rowed types. Mean grain weight was higher in both two‐rowed and in husked types. Oil was positively correlated with grain protein and the proportion of oleic acid, and negatively correlated with the proportions of palmitic and stearic acid. The highest oil contents were found in Rise 1508 and Hiproly which are high‐lysine genotypes.