VARIABILITY IN THE ALKYLRESORCINOL CONTENT OF RYE GRAIN

Abstract

A rapid fluorometric technique was used to analyze the alkylresorcinol content in the seed of 397 spring and winter rye (Secale cereale L.) cultivars. The alkylresorcinol content ranged from a low of 0.036% to a high of 0.322%, the greater variability being in the spring cultivars. A number of the spring cultivars were planted and self-pollinated through four generations. Each cultivar progeny was selected for high and low alkylresorcinol content in the seed, high self-fertility, and superior seed characteristics. It was apparent that selection was effective in increasing and decreasing alkylresorcinol content with each successive self-pollinated generation.