Effects of wetting treatment period and moisture content on water uptake by wheat grain during germination and alpha-amylase activity.

摘要

Wheat cv. Chihokukomugi, Horoshirikomugi and Kitakei-1354 grain with moisture contents between 20 and 45% was incubated for 24 or 72 h. Germination and activation of alpha-amylase did not occur in grain below 25% moisture content. At moisture content of 25-30%, alpha-amylase activity was high in the absence of germination, while at higher moisture contents the relationship between alpha-amylase activity and germination was affected by wetting period. After 72 h incubation, almost all grains had germinated and had high alpha-amylase activity, while after 24 h incubation some grains with a moisture content >30% had relatively low alpha-amylase activity but were germinating. Possible reasons for the different types of relationship between germinationand alpha-amylase activity are discussed.