Genotypic and environmental variation in barley beta-amylase activity and its relation to protein content

β-Amylase activities of barley cultivars collected from various areas of China, and as well as from Canada and Australia, were assayed. Meanwhile a multi-location trial was conducted to determine variation of β-amylase activity in eight barley cultivars and the relationship between β-amylase activity and protein content. For 56 cultivars in study, β-amylase activity ranged from 458 to 1024 U/g, with a mean of 738 U/g. There was significant variation in both β-amylase activity and protein content for eight barley cultivars grown in four locations. No significant correlation was found betweenβ-amylase activity and protein content surveyed in 56 cultivars.