Differences in Pre-Harvest Sprouting and Alpha-Amylase Activity among Wheat Cultivars

Changes in sprouting percentage and alpha-amylase activity with days after heading (DAH) were investigated in 20 wheat cultivars. The relationship between sprouting and alpha-amylase activity was analyzed in connection with the selection of breeding lines with sprouting resistance and low alpha-amylase activity. Sprouting percentage was high at 35 DAH and at 60 DAH, while low at 45 DAH or 50 DAH. Alpha-amylase activity was high before maturity and continued to decrease until 45 DAH when the lowest activity was recorded. The relationship between sprouting and alphaamylase activity was significant after maturity but not significant when cultivars with a high sprouting percentage and/or high alpha-amylase activity were omitted. These results suggest that some of the cultivars with a low sprouting percentage displayed a high alpha-amylase activity at 50-60 DAH. For the selection of breeding lines with sprouting resistance and low alpha-amylase activity, preharvest sprouting should be tested twice at 35 and 60 DAH, while alpha-amylase activity should be measured at 50-60 DAH.