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Micro‐Kjeldahl Analysis of Cotyledon Sections from Individual Seeds as a Screening Technique in Breeding Soybeans for Protein 1
Author(s) -
Singh Laxman,
Hadley H. H.,
Stevenson F. J.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1969.0011183x000900020028x
Subject(s) - cotyledon , kjeldahl method , biology , shoot , botany , agronomy , horticulture , nitrogen , chemistry , organic chemistry
Micro‐Kjeldahl analysis of small (10 mg) sections from the cotyledons of individual seeds of soybeans ( Glycine max (L.) Merrill) was found suitable for estimating the protein content of whole seeds. A high correlation was obtained between the protein content of the segment analyzed and total protein in the cotyledon (.97). In four varieties ('Clark,' 'Harosoy,' 'Sioux,' and 'T245') protein content of the various seed parts followed the order: cotyledon ⩾ root‐shoot axis >> seed coats. A slight gradient in protein content was observed in the cotyledon with the highest percentage occurring in the region adjacent to the root‐shoot axis. After a micro‐Kjeldahl analysis of a small segment of the cotyledon the remainder of the seed can be planted. Thus an accurate and “nondestructive” method of analyzing individual seeds is available to the plant breeder. Its usefulness, however, will depend upon the heritability of differences in protein content among individual seeds from heterozygous plants.