Protein and hordein content in barley seeds as affected by nitrogen level and their relationship to beta-amylase activity

Two barley cultivars differing in grain size and protein content were used to investigate the effects of nitrogen nutrition, cultivar and their interaction on grain protein content, hordein content and beta-amylase activity and the relationship between hordein content and beta-amylase activity during in vitro spike culture. The content of protein and hordein fraction, and beta-amylase activity in barley grains increased as the nitrogen level in culture solution increased. Grain protein content was significantly affected by nitrogen treatment and cultivar, and there was no significant interaction between nitrogen treatment and cultivar. Hordein content and beta-amylase activity were significantly affected by nitrogen treatment and cultivar as well as their interaction. Beta-amylase activity was positively correlated with grain protein and hordein contents, and the ratio of hordein B:C was negatively correlated with total protein content and beta-amylase activity. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.