Comparison of phenolic compositions between common and tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum) sprouts.

The phenolic compositions of non-germinated/germinated seeds and seed sprouts (at 6–10 day-old) of common (Fagopyrum esculentum Möench) and tartary (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) buckwheats were investigated. Phenolic compounds, including chlorogenic acid, four C-glycosylflavones (orientin, isoorientin vitexin, isovitexin), rutin and quercetin, were determined in the seed sprouts by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the edible parts of common buckwheat sprouts, individual phenolics significantly increased during sprout growth from 6 to 10 days after sowing (DAS), whereas in tartary buckwheat sprouts they did not. While the sum contents of phenolic compounds in the edible part (mean 24.4 mg/g DW at 6–10 DAS) of tartary buckwheat sprouts were similar to those of common buckwheat sprouts, rutin contents in the non-germinated/germinated seeds (mean 14.7 mg/g DW) and edible parts (mean 21.8 mg/g DW) of tartary buckwheat were 49- and 5-fold, respectively, higher than those of common buckwheat. Extracts of the edible parts of both species showed very similar free radical-scavenging activities (mean 1.7 μmol trolox eq/g DW), suggesting that the overall antioxidative activity might be affected by the combination of identified phenolics and unidentified (minor) components. Therefore, buckwheat seed sprouts are recommended for their high antioxidative activity, as well as being an excellent dietary source of phenolic compounds, particularly tartary buckwheat sprouts, being rich in rutin

Application of Near-Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopic Analysis for Estimating the Ratio of True Seed Weight to Fruit Weight in Sugar Beet Seed

The feasibility of near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopic analysis (NIR analysis) for estimating the ratio of true seed weight to fruit weight (T/F) as well as water content was examined in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) seeds of 61 F1 hybrid lines and 4 standard cultivars. For the calibration, partial least squares (PLS) regression was carried out with second derivative spectra and the measured data using attached software (NSAS). For estimating T/F, calibration using 7 factors was the most valid with a correlation coefficient of calibration (R) of 0.943, standard error of calibration (SEC) of 1.26% and standard error of prediction (SEP) of 1.40%. By this calibration, sugar beet varieties could be classified into 4∼5 levels according to the estimated T/F. For the estimation of the water content of sugar beet seed, calibration using 14 factors was optimal. The calibration was highly accurate since the R, SEC and SEP was 0.999, 0.23% and 0.27% respectively. Consequently, the true seed weight of sugar beet could be nondestructively and rapidly estimated by NIR analysis and weighing the air-dried seed. This technique should be useful in breeding selection for higher true seed weights, which would thereby improve the early growth of sugar beet varieties

Growth and yield of self-compatible and hybrid common buckwheat lines pollinated with and without flies

Common buckwheat is a self-incompatible, insect-pollinated allogamous plant. This study examined growth and yield of the common buckwheat self-compatible and hybrid lines pollinated with and without flies. Self-compatible ‘IH3’, hybrid ‘IP2/IH3’, and standard self-incompatible ‘Kitawasesoba’ were used in field and pot experiments. Self-compatibility of ‘IH3’ was shown to be of high purity. Approximately 10% segregation of pin plants from ‘IP2/IH3’ was observed. The harvest index of ‘Kitawasesoba’ pollinated without flies was considerably lower than that pollinated with flies in both field and pot experiments. The harvest index values of ‘IH3’ and ‘IP2/IH3’ were hardly affected by the presence or absence of flies. The morphological traits of ‘IH3’ were significantly lower than those of the other two genotypes. Large differences in these traits between ‘IP2/IH3’ and ‘Kitawasesoba’ were not observed in either the field or pot experiments. The seed yield of ‘Kitawasesoba’ pollinated without flies tended to be lower than that pollinated with flies. The seed yield of ‘IP2/IH3’ tended to be higher than that of ‘IH3’. The hybrid line ‘IP2/IH3’ showed a high fertilization rate, which was nearly as high as that of ‘IH3’. Rate of fertilization and percentage of ripe seeds were higher in ‘IH3’ and ‘IP2/IH3’, wherein they were hardly affected by the presence or absence of flies, than in ‘Kitawasesoba’. The ‘IP2/IH3’ hybrid line will be useful for understanding the stable high-yielding ability of self-compatibility common buckwheat

Accumulation of Soluble Sugar in True Seeds by Priming of Sugar Beet Seeds and the Effects of Priming on Growth and Yield of Drilled Plants

For improving the yield of drilled sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. vulgaris), it is important to promote germination and early growth. In this study, the priming of sugar beet seeds was examined in six cultivars to improve their germinability in cool conditions. The optimum water content of sugar beet seeds (which botanically are fruits) during priming was 24 to 25% when they were kept at 20°C for 5 d. In further experiments, after the water content of seeds was adjusted to 24% by adding distilled water, the primed seeds were air-dried to below their original water content. The primed true seeds contained 0.5 to 4% more soluble sugar, by dry weight, than the control true seeds. The levels of amylase activity of the primed true seeds were 1.9 to 11.5 times higher than those of the control true seeds, though there was little change in α-glucosidase activity. Priming shortened the average germination period at 8°C by 1.6 to 4.0 d and seedlings from the primed seeds emerged significantly faster than did seedlings from the control seeds in the field. The advanced emergence in the primed seeds brought about a significant increase in early growth compared with control seeds, and the root yield from the primed seeds tended to exceed that from the control seeds by 3% on average at harvest time. Priming did not affect the sugar, potassium, sodium or amino nitrogen content in the root