Identification and characterization of high protein oat lines from a mutagenized oat population

Oat is an excellent source of high-quality proteins. The protein content in cultivated oat is about 12%-15%. Oats with even higher protein contents would have great potential as a vegetative protein source. From a mutagenized oat population, 230 lines with seed protein levels of 15% or higher were identified from green house grown plants. Fifteen lines with protein levels ranging between 17 and 24% were chosen for further studies. The high protein character was confirmed by two consecutive propagations in the field. Crossings showed that the trait was stable and segregated in a Mendelian fashion. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the major increase was in globulin like proteins. In addition, total dietary fibre, β-glucan and lipid levels were quantified. No correlation between any of these characters and the high protein trait could be found. Thousand Kernel Weight was also monitored and shown to be stable in the high protein lines. Thus, starting from the lines presented here a further development of commercial oat varieties with protein levels of 20% or higher is feasible. Such a high protein oat would be very important to meet the consumers need for high-quality high-protein oat for the food and feed industry.