Interspecific and intraspecific variation in grain and great characteristics of wild oat (Avena) species:: Very high great (1→3),(1→4)-β-D-glucan in an Avena atlantica genotype

Grain characteristics and great composition have been evaluated in 35 genotypes from nine taxonomic species of Avena, including three species (A. agadiriana, A. atlantica, A. damascena) for which no previous data are available. There was substantial interspecific and intraspecific variation for all characteristics measured. The proportion of groat in the grain ranged from 32.7-62.1 %, and mean groat weight from 2.4-37.4 mg. Groat protein concentrations ranged from 13.9-41.3%, and exceeded 32% in one A. atlantica, two A. damascena and one A. murphyi genotype. Great beta-glucan concentration showed very wide variation (2.2-11.3%) are there were substantial interspecific and intraspecific differences. The highest beta-glucan concentrations were found in genotypes of A. atlantica. Although there were interspecific and intraspecific variations in great oil concentration (4.2-10.6%), and in fatty acid composition, data were within previously reported ranges for A. sativa. Over data indicate that some of the genotypes of the wild species studied may be of value for bleeding oats with improved levels of beta-glucan and protein, and that further studies are warranted into both interspecific and intraspecific variations in grain quality factors in wild oat species. (C) 2000 Academic Press.