Effects of variety and environment on dietary fibre content of winter rye in Finland

Abstract

The water-insoluble (WISDF) and water-soluble (WSDF) dietary fibre (DF) contents of five winter rye varieties at three locations in two years in Finland as well as those of 10 imported winter rye samples from Canada, the Federal Republic of Germany, Hungary, Sweden, the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. were studied in the present work. There was no significant difference between the Finnish and imported rye samples with regard to total dietary fibre content (TDF). Finnish rye was significantly higher in WISDF content and significantly lower in WSDF content compared to imported rye samples. When results from all of the Finnish rye varieties, locations and years were analysed, WISDF had a significant positive correlation with growing time ( r = 0·655***) and with protein content ( r = 0·733***). Significant positive correlations were also found between TDF content and growing time ( r = 0·542***) as well as protein content ( r = 0·681***). On the contrary, the Falling Number showed a negative correlation with WISDF content ( r = −0·590**) and with TDF content ( r = −0·652**). There was also a negative correlation between Falling Number and WSDF content ( r = −0·429*). Environmental factors had an influence on TDF. High precipitation increased TDF content while the mean temperature of the growing period had a negative correlation with it.