Re-evaluation of fluorescein dibutyrate staining as a method for assessment of pre-harvest sprouting in wheat and barley

Abstract

Estimation of endosperm modification by staining with fluorescein dibutyrate was found to lack the necessary precision for use at points of grain receival for prediction of levels of sprouting in wheat and barley. The method could predict the Falling Number of wheat to within about ± 100 s (P = 0.05). Large differences were found in the relationship between α-amylase levels and endosperm modification in single samples of different wheat and barley varieties, suggesting the possibility of genetic variation in the relationship between these two parameters.