An evaluation of near infra-red reflectance analysis in some plant breeding programmes

Abstract

SUMMARY: Some applications of near infra-red reflectance (NIR) analysis in plant breeding have been tested. Prediction of the nitrogen content of cereals, kale and beans, and nitrogen and oil in rapeseed was sufficiently accurate for screening purposes although wheat straw gave a less accurate result. The prediction of nitrogen content of wheat grain could be supplemented by the simultaneous estimation of grinding resistance and bran cleanliness, characters of importance for bread-making quality. Hagberg falling number, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) sedimentation volume and loaf volume could not be accurately predicted by NIR. Encouraging results were obtained for predicting malting quality of barley and the digestibility of kale samples.