GrainGenes
A Database for Triticeae and Avena
Doll et al., pp. 12-13
II.7. High lysine mutants in barley.
H. Doll, A. J. Andersen, B. Køie and J. Ingversen. Atomic Energy Commission, Research Establishment Risö, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
To increase the nutritive value of barley grain we have screened for HL (high lysine) mutants in mutagenic-treated materials by combined Kjeldahl nitrogen and dye-binding capacity analyses. So far we have found three mutants, nos. 29, 56 and 86, in the variety Carlsberg II, and three mutants, nos. 440, 527 and 1508, in the variety Bomi (Table 1). The mutants nos. 29 and 86 have been described earlier (Doll, 1972).
The segregation of HL lines in the offspring from crossing mutants 29
and 86 with the parent variety Carlsberg II indicated a single gene inheritance
of the HL character. Two HL lines, denoted 29x
and 86x from these crosses, the six HL mutants,
and the parent varieties were evaluated and compared in a preliminary yield
trial in microplots with four replicates (Table 1). All six mutants, and
particularly mutant 1508, have a higher lysine content in the protein.
The HL mutants are further characterized by a higher protein content, a
lower grain yield and smaller kernels than their parent variety. However,
the improved yield of the lines 29x and 86x
indicates that the reduced yield of the HL mutants 29 and 86 may be independent
of the HL character.
We have continued the search for HL mutants by analyzing 9250 more M2 plants. Promising mutants from this screening are being tested for lysine content. The results of some studies of the protein composition of normal barley and HL mutants and varieties have been reported (Ingversen and Køie 1971, 1973a, 1973b). At present our studies of HL barley comprise the inheritance of the HL character, the response to nitrogen fertilizer, and further elucidation of the protein composition. The nutritional value of the HL mutants is tested on rats by Dr. B. Eggum, Nat. Inst. of Animal Science, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Seed samples of the HL mutants may be obtained on application to H. Doll.
References:
Doll, H. 1972. Variation in protein quantity and quality induced in barley by EMS treatment. "Induced Mutations and Plant Improvement", IAEA, Vienna 1972:331-342.
Ingversen, J. and B. Køie. 1971. Protein patterns of some high lysine barley lines. Hereditas 69:319-323.
Ingversen, J. and B. Køie. 1973a. Lysine rich proteins in the salt-soluble protein fraction of barley. Phytochemistry 12:73-78.
Ingversen, J. and B. Kjie. 1973b. Lysine rich proteins in the salt-soluble protein fraction of high-lysine barleys. Phytochemistry (in press).