Domestication of the protein-rich tetraploid wild oats Avena magna and A. Murphyi

Abstract

The first stage in the domestication of the protein-rich tetraploid oats A vena magna and A . murphyi has been achieved by introducing seed non-shattering from the cultivated hexaploid oats A . sativa . A great variation in the protein content was encountered in the tetraploid domesticated types and plants having up to 27-31% protein were selected . The potential of these newly domesticated oats in increasing protein yield is briefly discussed ; also the significance of the tetraploids A . magna and A . murphyi in improving the protein content of the hexaploid cultivars is stressed .

Cytogenetics ofAvena

“…Progeny that have the nonshattering base type of the cultivated oat derived from backcrossing the hybrid A. sativa x A. maroccana to A. moroccana have been described by Ladizinsky and Fainstein (1977b). Since the non shattering characteristic was the most significant mutation in the domestication of cereals (Harlan, 1983), Ladizinsky and Fainstein discussed the possibilities of the domestication of this tetraploid group of species to produce protein-rich oat.…”

Domestication of <i>Avena magna</i> Murphy et Terrell: a wild tetraploid oat species endemic of Morocco

“…Since the first century of our era, oats have become a major crop in Europe and in certain other Mediterranean regions. Recently, too much interest was given to this cereal since it has a caryopsis rich in protein up to 22% which is the highest value for Avena sativa L. (Ladizinsky, Fainstein, 1977) in addition to other components, such as oil which can reach 18.1% in some lines of A. sativa (Welch et al, 2000). Nutritive quality of this cereal has increased, in contrast to wheat and barley; lysine and tryptophan concentrations in oats are significantly high and adequate for a balanced nutritive diet designated for non-ruminant animals such as horse.…”