ABSTRACT
In the summer rainfall and marine regions where winter cereals are grown, there is a good probability of having some rain just prior to or during harvest. Preharvest germination in the spike causes loss in yield and also drastically lightens the test weight. Yield loss occurs partly by increased shattering and also during threshing when light-depleted kernels are winnowed out. Use of cereal-based processed food stuff is on the increase and therefore preharvest sprouting has a wide-ranging effect on the processing industry. The effects on each cereal product are different and consequently these different cereal products and their quality factors studied separately. To summarize the situation in broad terms, the sprouting resistance (RCP) factors in cereals can be divided in to two major groups: ripeness-dependent and ripeness-independent components. The most important maturity-dependent factor is dormancy, which usually "breaks down" during a period of "after ripening".
