Protein Distribution in the Oat (Avena sterilis L.) Kernel1

Kernels of 25 selections of Avena sterilis were dehulled, and the groats were hand‐dissected into the embryonic axis, scutellum, bran, and starchy endosperm. All fractions were weighed, analyzed for protein, and compared with one cultivar of Avena sativa L., Markton. Groat yield and groat size were lower for A. sterilis L. than for Markton. Protein concentration (%) was higher in the A. sterilis selections, but protein content per groat was lower, due to smaller groats. A. sterilis groats were mostly starchy endosperm (58.0%) and bran (39.1%), with scutellum and embryonic‐axis fractions contributing little to the total groat weight. These values were similar to those of Markton. Both bran weight and endosperm weight were positively correlated with groat size, although the proportion of endosperm was higher in larger groats. Protein concentration was lowest in the starchy endosperm. Except for a few selections, protein concentration of all fractions was higher in A. sterilis than in Markton. Selections with high protein showed higher protein concentrations in both the bran and starchy endosperm. As a single fraction, bran contained the greatest amount of the total groat protein in all but three of the selections.