Determination of variation in oat kernel morphology by digital image analysis

Abstract

Oat (Avena sativa L.) kernels are selected for processing using physical characteristics. Because of the importance of kernel morphology to the oat processing industry, kernel features were measured by digital image analysis. Kernel area was highly correlated (r= 0·98) with kernel weight, whereas frequency profiles of kernel length and aspect ratio (width/length) were two features which differed both within and between populations of six domestic oat cultivars. The cultivars also differed in the proportions of primary to secondary kernels. Primary and secondary kernels were of similar length for all six cultivars. Results from three cultivars grown at two test locations show that environment influences both aspect ratio and kernel length profiles. While for a single location, variation in kernel morphology reflects genotypic differences between cultivars, differences between locations reflect environmental influences upon the genome.