Measuring acrospire length by staining with cupric acetate reagent.

The method proposed (i) for measurement of acrospire length by staining with acidified cupric acetate is faster than the standard method of boiling in water for h and less arduous than cutting and peeling the individual kernels. In method (i) 6 g malted barley kernels were boiled for 5 min in 50 ml of reagent (4% aqueous solution cupric acetate containing 1 ml glacial acetic acid/100 ml solution). The acrospire stained green and was clearly visible, facilitating measurement of its length.