A single grain screening technique for breeding alkylresorcinol-poor rye.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Breeding
• Biochemistry

Background:

• 5-alkylresorcinols are important compounds in rye (Secale cereale).
• Efficient methods for selecting seeds with high 5-alkylresorcinol content are needed for crop improvement.
• Existing methods may be time-consuming or affect seed viability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid, semi-quantitative method for selecting individual rye seeds based on 5-alkylresorcinol content.
• To assess the impact of the selection method on seed germination rates.
• To highlight the utility of this method in breeding programs, particularly with self-fertile inbred lines.

Main Methods:

• Extraction of 5-alkylresorcinols from whole, intact rye caryopses using acetone.
• Semi-quantitative analysis of extracted resorcinols.
• Assessment of seed germination rates after the extraction process.

Main Results:

• A quick and simple semi-quantitative method for selecting single rye seeds was established.
• The described extraction method minimally decreased the germination rate of the seeds.
• The method demonstrated significant advantages for selecting seeds from self-fertile inbred lines.

Conclusions:

• The presented method provides an efficient and viable approach for screening rye seeds for 5-alkylresorcinol content.
• This technique facilitates the selection of superior genotypes in rye breeding programs.
• The method's minimal impact on germination makes it suitable for preserving valuable seed material.