Breeding for reduced phytate in feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Four previously developed reduced phytate mutants in barley (M 422, M 635, M 955, and M 1070) were crossed with Ontario-adapted germplasm to produce segregating populations. These populations were tested for soluble phosphorus to verify and determine expression of low phytate mutants. An efficient method of both quantitative and qualitative phytate analysis has been developed using half seeds and a phosphomolybdate reaction. All four mutants express xenia and, therefore, single seeds can be tested in segregating populations.; Three mutants recommended for further introgression are M 422, M 635, and M 955 which clearly have additive effects, express xenia, and are easily identified in both heterozygous and homozygous states. Low phytate appears to be associated with lower yields in the backgrounds tested. It will be necessary to breed lines with the mutant alleles in adapted lines to make commercial production feasible in Ontario.