Barley viability during storage: use of magnetic resonance as a potential tool to study viability loss

Malting-quality barley samples of the varieties Harrington, Manley, and TR118, each from two locations in Saskatchewan, were collected directly from the producers and sent to China for storage. At regular intervals samples were shipped back to Canada for analysis consisting of germination studies, alpha-amylase tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic relaxation (NMR) studies. Samples showing a decrease in germinative energy and elevated levels of alpha-amylase also showed a rapid uptake of water in the area between the embryo and the endosperm as observed by MRI. Using NMR relaxation experiments, viable and nonviable barley samples could be distinguished after 2 h of imbibition.