Utilization of the “Vivar” Barley Tilling Population.

Creation of variability is essential for plant breeders striving to improve crops through selection. Creation of variability in a self-pollinated species such as barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is generally done through emasculation and pollination with a different genotype.  However, it is also possible to create variability through exposure to a mutagenizing agent. The purpose of this research was to explore the variation within a mutagenized population for protein and starch traits. These traits are of particular importance in barley as proteins are important for malting quality while starch is important to both the brewing and feed industries. The cultivar ‘Vivar’, a hulled six-row semi-dwarf developed by the Field Crop Development Centre, was exposed to Ethyl methanesulfonate to create an ordered mutant population. The M1 seed was grown under growth room conditions to ensure plant survival.  Many deleterious mutations resulting in stunting, sterility and albinism were found. A population of 996 M2 lines, each derived from a single M1 seed, was grown in the field at Lacombe, AB in 2012.  Of these 794 grew to maturity and were harvested. There was only enough seed from 743 lines for whole grain NIRS scanning using a FOSS 6500. Protein and starch content of the grain was determined using previously developed calibrations. Protein content of these lines ranged from 11.1 to 18.9% with a mean of 14.7%.  Starch content of these lines ranged from 53.0 to 62.3% with a mean of 57.5%. Further investigations of the mechanisms at play leading to the higher and lower values are currently underway.