Differentiation of Robust and Morex Barley by Isozyme Electrophoresis. C. K. Huston, Jr., A. Vie, and M. J. Lewis, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis 95616. J. Am. Soc. Brew. Chem. 46:0018, 1988.

The barley varieties Morex and Robust from Montana and South Idaho growing regions were differentiated by staining for esterase activity following isozyme electrophoresis on starch gels. The esterase banding patterns comprised a maximum of 15 esterase isozymes that could be classified into five groups. Specific esterase band patterns revealed by Morex or Robust depended on the kind of sample taken and the time of sampling. By appropriate sampling of Morex and Robust during germination, these varieties and possibly the growing region from which they came could be differentiated. Varietal, but not regional, differences were apparent in the esterase pattern in as little as one day of germination.

Keywords: Barley, Electrophoresis, Esterase, Isozymes, Morex, Robust