Endosperm cell number in cultivars of barley differing in grain weight

Abstract

SUMMARY The number of endosperm cells in caryopses 30 ‘days’ after anthesis was determined and a positive correlation was found between endosperm cell number and 1000 grain weight, and between endosperm cell number and dry grain volume in a number of cultivars of field‐grown barley. The genetic factors influencing grain weight are discussed in relation to these results and to observations made on transverse sections of immature caryopses.