Sprout damage (SPTD) and severe sprout damage (SEVSPTD)

Definitions

• Photographs supporting definition of sprout damage (SPTD)
• Photographs supporting definition of severe sprout damage (SEVSPTD)
• Sprout damage (the onset of germination) is an objective grading factor

Photographs

Sprout damage on kernels of Wheat, Canada Western Red Spring.

Sprout damage in most wheat classes is subdivided into sprouted and severely sprouted. The amount of the enzyme alpha-amylase in severely sprouted kernels can be many thousands of times greater than the amount found in sprouted kernels.

This kernel is considered sprouted. It is not considered severely sprouted because the sprout just meets the contour of the germ.

These kernels are considered severely sprouted, because the sprout extends beyond the contour of the germ.

These kernels would be considered severely sprouted:
The kernels show broken coleoptiles (sprouts) that were once extending beyond the normal contours of the germ.

Tolerance tables for all wheat classes

• Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR)
• Canada Prairie Spring White (CPSW)
• Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD)
• Canada Western Extra Strong (CWES)
• Canada Western Hard White Spring (CWHWS)
• Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS)
• Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW)
• Canada Western Soft White Spring (CWSWS)

Tolerances for sprout and severe sprout damage in all classes of western Canadian wheat protect these classes from the damaging effects of alpha-amylase on bread making quality.

Analytical testing for sprout damage

Hagberg Falling number test for sprout damage for wheat.