A comparison of two rapid screening methods for the selection of high‐lysine barleys

A ninhydrin colour test based on the higher levels of free amino acids in the grain of a high‐lysine barley mutant, Risø 1508, and a turbidity test based on its lower prolamin content, were used for the selection of single grains from F1plants of crosses, involving it. The prolamin turbidity test was preferred for analysis of single F2 grains because it was more sensitive with grain of lower nitrogen content. In addition, turbidity was not significantly correlated with seed weight or with position in the spike of Risø 1508. Both methods are rapid, simple, inexpensive and sufficiently precise to distinguish genotypes which differ significantly in their lysine contents.