The results of a comprehensive study of spring wheat accessions from the VIR collection according to their breeding characteristics

The subject of the study was the conditions of formation of high-protein winter wheat grain. The main goal of the research was to identify the relationships between the main agrotechnical practices, weather conditions in the early spring and protein content in winter wheat grain and to create methodological foundations for the development, implementation and adjustment of ecologically adaptive technologies for growing winter wheat in the northern Steppe of Ukraine. The research was conducted during 1986-2005 at Kirovohrad State Agricultural Experimental Station. The winter wheat was sown in three terms on 25 August, 17 September and 2 October after black fallow and non-fallow maize silage predecessor. The protein content of the grain was determined by conventional methods. The soils of the experimental plot are ordinary medium-humus heavy loamy deep chernozems. It has been substantiated that in the northern Steppe of Ukraine, winter wheat under black fallow provides a higher protein content in grain compared to its non-fallow predecessor. During the years of research, the protein content in the grain of winter wheat under black fallow was 13.94 compared to 13.0% after corn for silage. After both predecessors, both high and low amounts of protein can be accumulated in winter wheat grain at high yields. Shifting the sowing dates of winter wheat from 25 August to 2 October for black fallow, on average over the years of research, causes a decrease in the protein content of grain from 14.2 to 13.7%, and for corn for silage, on the contrary, an increase from 12.9 to 13.1%. However, this dependence can be clearly seen in 74% of years under black fallow and 47% of years after the non-fallow predecessor. In the conditions of the northern Steppe of Ukraine, the time of renewal of the spring vegetation of winter wheat plants affects the protein content of its grain. The average (third decade of March) time of spring vegetation recovery of winter wheat plants contributes to a higher protein content in the grain, which is 14.2% after black fallow and 13.37% after corn for silage. In years with an extra-early (third decade of February) renewal of spring vegetation, the lowest amount of protein is accumulated in winter wheat grain after both predecessors. The nature of the air temperature regime in the early spring period determines the protein content of winter wheat grain. When winter wheat is placed on black fallow, the highest protein content in winter wheat grain is observed in years when the average daily air temperature passes through 00C in the third decade of February and is 14.45%, and after the non-fallow predecessor – in the first decade of March – 14.16%. The highest amount of protein in winter wheat grain after both predecessors is accumulated in the years with a period from the time of transition of the average daily air temperature through 00C to active vegetation of plants from 20 to 30 days and after black fallow is 14.57%, and after non-fallow predecessor – 13.35%. In the years with the duration of this period exceeding 30 days, grain with the lowest amount of protein is formed. A sharp decrease in the protein content of winter wheat grain in the northern Steppe of Ukraine is observed in the years with an average daily air temperature during the period of ‘spring vegetation renewal – heading out’ above 110C. After black fallow, the protein content of grain decreases from 15.0 to 13.0%, and after corn for silage – from 14.3 to 13.3%. An increase in the duration of the period ‘restoration of spring vegetation – heading out’ increases the protein content in winter wheat grain. In the years with the duration of this period exceeding 35 days, the amount of protein in winter wheat grain for black fallow increases by 1.7%, and in corn for silage by 0.8% compared to the years with duration of this period not exceeding 25 days.

The effects of temperature during the ripening period on digestible protein contents of the rice grains of a seed-protein mutant rice cultivar LGCsoft were examined. The plants were grown under a natural condition until the booting stage, and then in temperature-controlled greenhouses set at 24.0ºC, 28.0ºC, and 30.6ºC (mean temperature). The protein compositions and the protein contents of the rice grains were analyzed quantitatively. The protein compositions in the LGCsoft grains varied with the temperature condition. The ratio of the digestible to total protein was higher in high-temperature conditions, and that of difficult-to-digest proteins, especially 13 kDa prolamin was lower in high-temperature conditions. The protein compositions in a normal-type cultivar Nihonmasari, which was the original cultivar of LGCsoft also varied with the temperature. However, the effect of temperature on the ratio of the digestible to total protein was larger in LGCsoft than in Nihonmasari. The ratios of the digestible protein in the grains under 24.0ºC and 30.6ºC conditions were 74.3% and 81.3%, respectively, in Nihonmasari. On the other hand, they were 52.0% and 63.1%, respectively, in LGCsoft. In LGCsoft, the total protein content of grains was 70.6-72.5 mg g-1, and it was affected only slightly by temperature during the ripening period. Therefore, the digestible protein content of grains under 24.0ºC and 30.6ºC conditions was 36.7 mg g-1 and 45.7 mg g-1, respectively, in LGC soft. It was clarified that the digestible protein content was higher at elevated temperatures because of the increased ratio of digestible to total protein.

The present study was carried out at the Maize Researches Department in General Commission for Science agriculture Research (G-C-S-A-R) Damascus, Syria. This study aimed at estimating the potence ratio and phenotypic correlations and path analysis coefficient analysis for protein, oil, and starch content in grain, grain yield per plant and 100-kernel weight. Twenty eight single cross hybrids were produced using a half diallel cross in 2008 cropping season and consequently evaluated during 2009 cropping season. Potence ratio results indicated that partial and over-dominance gene effects played a major role in inheritance of protein, oil, and starch content in grain while, over-dominance gene effects were the most dominant in the inheritance grain yield per plant and 100-kernel weight. Positive and high significantly correlations were observed between protein and oil content in grain (0.366) and between grain yield and100-kernel weight (0.386). Potence ratio estimates indicating partial and over-dominance towards the higher starch, oil, protein, for 100 grain yield per plant over-dominance gene effects played a major role in inheritance of this trait. Path analysis results showed the contribution of oil content in grain, 100-kernel weight and grain yield per plant for protein content in grain variation account 15.55%, and the relative important of oil content in grain reach to 13.40%. So, it can be considered as selection criteria which may lead to improve protein content in maize grain.

The results of three-year studies (2020–2022) conducted in the forest-steppe zone of the Samara region in the agrocenosis of winter wheat are presented. The purpose of the work was to study the influence of natural and climatic conditions of the research area on the formation of yield indicators, protein content in winter wheat grain. The material was 10 varieties from the Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) collection and 5 varieties of selection of the Povolzhsky Scientific Research Institute of Selection and Seed Growing named after P.N. Konstantinov. Yield, grain protein content and protein yield per hectare were determined. Varieties characterized by high yield and high amount of protein in grain, showing maximum protein yield in different weather conditions of the years were identified. Over the years of research, the year 2022 was the most favorable for the formation of high yields (between 6 and 8.5 t/ha were harvested in the indicated year), where a large amount of precipitation was observed in May – the first ten-day period of June. The protein content in grain was the highest in 2021 (14–19%), when high temperatures were observed during the grain filling period in the absence of precipitation. For each variety, the correlation dependence of the sum of active temperatures and the amount of precipitation during the spring-summer vegetation period with the studied indicators was established. There was a negative correlation between the sum of active temperatures and yield (from –0.553 to –0.981) and a positive correlation with the protein content indicator (from 0.605 to 0.984) depending on the variety. The amount of precipitation was in a positive correlation with the yield index, the dependence on the protein content in the grain was ambiguous and depended on the variety. The studied indicators were influenced not only by natural and climatic conditions, but also by the genotypic features of the studied varieties, which explains the diverse correlation dependence.

Purpose and Objectives. To evaluate the expression of the "protein content in grain" trait in winter bread wheat lines derived from late-ripening accessions of the Western European ecotype; to construct correlation-regression models for the relationships of the protein content in grain with the "anthesis - grain ripeness" interphase period length and grain yield in elite accessions grown in breeding nurseries.
 Material and Methods. The field studies were carried out at the Institute of Irrigated Agriculture of NAAS in 2019–2021. Modern winter wheat varieties bred at the Institute, collection specimens of the Western European ecotype, which had been introduced from France (registration numbers Kf1...16), and their hybrids were studied. Individual selections of elite plants from F2 were brought to the control nursery and evaluated for protein content in grain, yield, "anthesis - ripeness" period and other economic characteristics. Biometric measurements, biochemical analyses, and yield records were conducted by traditional methods. The study methods were field, laboratory, biochemical, breeding-genetic, and statistical. The studies were carried out under irrigation conditions at the pre-irrigation field moisture capacity (FMC) in the 0–50 cm soil layer of 75%.
 Results and Discussion. The expression of the "protein content in grain" trait in the breeding accessions selected from hybrid populations, which had been originated from Western European ecotypes of winter bread wheat, was analyzed; the correlation-regression models of the relationships between the protein content in grain, the grain yield and the "anthesis - ripeness" period were constructed. The “anthesis – ripeness” period in the best accessions lasted 45 - 52 days, and each original hybrid combination had its own optimum, which was associated with a high yield and protein content in grain. Extension of the "anthesis - ripeness" period slightly increased the grain yields of the breeding accessions from some hybrid populations; however, analogous effect on the protein content in grain was insignificant.
 Conclusions. A concurrent increase in the grain yield and protein content in grain through traditional selections is possible; however, such parallel enhancement of these traits is more suitable for heterogeneous hybrid populations with low protein contents grain and yields, or with low values of one of these traits (low protein content). For each hybrid population from parents contrasting in vegetation length, it is necessary to develop a specific plan of selections with due account for intra-population correlation-regression models of yield capacity, protein content in grain and “anthesis – ripeness” period length.

A field experiment on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was carried out during two consecutive rabi seasons 2021-22 and 2022-23 at Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, but medium in available phosphorus and available potassium having slightly alkaline pH (8.7) with an electrical conductivity of 0.327. The field experiment allocated three moisture regimes in main plots, I1: irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.7, I2: irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.9 and I3: five irrigations at critical stages (CRI, LT, LJ, F and M) and six integrated nutrient management (INM) modules in sub-plots, N1: control, N2: 100 % RDF (150:75:60 kg NPK/ha), N3: 125 % RDF, N4: 50% RDF+PM @ 2.5 t/ha, N5: 50% RDF+PM @ 2.5 t/ha+Azotobacter+PSB+KMB, N6: 50% RDF+PM @ 2.5 t/ha+NPK consortia were tested in split plot design with three replications. On pooled basis of two years experimentation the results showed that, the irrigation applied at critical stages (CRI, LT, LJ, F and M) resulted in significantly (P<0.05) tallest plants, more number of physiologically active leaves/plant at 50% flowering stage, days taken to 50% flowering, days taken to maturity, spike length, grains weight/spike, grain yield (48.7 q/ha), protein content (11.1 %) in grains and crop water use (541.9 mm) over IW/CPE ratio of 0.7. While, the reverse trend was noticed for soil pH and electrical conductivity, being maximum under the IW/CPE ratio of 0.7. Moreover, the highest water productivity was obtained with 0.9 ratio followed by 0.7. In respect of INM modules, the tallest plants, more of days taken to 50% flowering, days taken to maturity and soil pH were noticed with N3 treatment, which was significantly (P<0.05) higher over the rest of the treatments, except plant height, being on par with N2 and N6 and soil pH which did not show any significant variation during both the years. While, the maximum number of physiologically active leaves/plant, grains weight/spike, protein content (11.2%) in grains and electrical conductivity were recorded under N5. However, the physiologically active leaves/plant and grains weight/spike was significantly (P<0.05) superior over control and protein content in grains under N1 and N2. Moreover, the longest spike, grain yield (51.0 q/ha), crop water use (481.0 mm) and water productivity (6.38 kg/ha-mm) were registered with N6, being significantly (P<0.05) superior over the control. Further, this treatment out yielded control and RDF by 23.7 and 6.3 %, srespectively.

Background. The breeding value of accessions from the VIR collection can be estimated only under specific climate and soil conditions. Studying such accessions helps to include them in the breeding process.Materials and methods. Forty-two accessions of naked oats of various origin were studied at the FARC of the North-East. Biochemical analysis of grain and statistical data processing using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis techniques were carried out.Results. The accessions were divided into groups according to their ripening schedule: early (up to 80 days), medium (81–84 days), and mid-late (85–89 days). High yielding genotypes were identified in each ripeness group. The plant height depended on the hydrothermal conditions of the growing season (r = 0.25). The studied accessions were all classified as undersized (64.0–99.1 cm), including the reference cv. ‘Vyatsky’ (88.1 cm). A significant contribution of some panicle productivity components to an increase in yield was observed. The protein and fat content in grain determines its nutritional and energy value. The results showed a positive relationship between yield and protein content (r = 0.44). A significant negative correlation between fat content and protein content (r = –0.61) was registered. The study of naked oat accessions showed different fat content in grain across the ripeness groups.Conclusion. According to the results of the study, some accessions were identified as sources of traits useful for breeding. The following accessions were selected as the best according to a set of characters (yield, plant height, number of grains per panicle, panicle weight, protein and fat content in grain): early ‘Litovsij nagij’ (k-15234, Lithuania), ‘Gkzalon’ (k-15299, Mongolia) and ‘MF9224-164’ (k-15090, USA); medium k-15248 (local, Poland) and MF9521-281 (k-15095, USA); and mid-late ‘Bai Yan 2’ (k-15525, China), ‘Progress’ (k-15339, Russia), ‘Visit’ (k-15501, Ukraine) and ‘Mina’ (k-15192, Bulgaria).

Although there are numerous studies on the effect of soil and foliar application of Zn on rice yield, knowledge on Zn distribution in rice tissues through simultaneous soil and foliar application of Zn is limited. Therefore, The current experiment was conducted to explore the effect of soil and foliar application of zinc sulfate fertilizer on Zn and protein content of grain, and Zn content of rice (Oryza Sativa L.) tissues at different growth stages of Hashemi local cultivar. This filed experiment was carried out on two factors (soil application of Zn at three levels and foliar application of Zn at four levels) using complete randomized block design with three replications. The maximum grain yield (4283 kg ha-1) was recorded at simultaneous application of 20 kg Zn ha-1 (basal soil application) with foliar application of Zn solution at ripening stage, giving 32% increase compared to the control (2915 kgha-1). The highest increase in leaves and stems Zn content (2 times) was recorded at the combined treatments (10 kg Zn ha-1 and foliar spray at the maximum tillering stage). Also, the maximum increase in panicle and rice grain Zn (around 2.5 times) was obtained by application of 10 kg Zn ha-1 and foliar spray at the flowering stage. The highest linear correlation coefficient was found between grain and panicle Zn content (0.58**). Meanwhile, the grain protein content positively correlated with grain Zn content (0.68**), panicle Zn content (0.64**) and Zn content of stem (0.64**). Among the aerial parts, the highest linear correlation coefficient was found between Zn content of panicle and leaves at ripening stage (0.69**), Zn content of leaves and stems at flowering stage (0.65**), Zn content of stems at ripening stage and root Zn content at flowering stage (0.45**). The fitted stepwise multiple regression analysis among protein content of rice grains and Zn content of all rice tissues at different rice growth stages indicated that grain Zn content, Zn content of leaves and stems at ripening stage had positive significant relationship with protein content of grains. According to adjusted coefficient of determination, these characters demonstrated 56% of protein content variations. It can be concluded that soil application of 20 kg Zn ha-1 in combination with Zn foliar application of 0.5% Zn sulfate at flowering stage of rice plant enhance grain yield and quality.

The purpose of the research was to identify samples of the collection of peas with a high and stable protein content in the grain, as a starting material in breeding for grain quality. Of the 130 studied samples of the collection of peas, which had at least 25.0% of the protein content in the grain, on average over the years of research, only 13 samples had a protein content of at least 25.0%. The highest minimum protein content was observed in the Russian-bred OMK-3 sample, which had an indicator of 26.1%. For the rest, the minimum value was from 25.0 to 25.3%. The maximum protein content over the years of research in pea samples was from 25.8 to 29.7%, of which samples 193/73 (Ukraine) (29.7%), OMK-3 (Russia) (29.5%), NS-01-68 (Bulgaria) (29.1%), B-887 (Russia) (28.7%) and Orel-330 (Russia) (28.7%). The average value of the coefficient of variation for varieties, characterizing intravarietal variability, was 6.8% on average for the collection, with the lowest value being 1.2% and the highest value being 15.9%. In the 13 isolated samples, the intravarietal variability was lower than the average for the collection as a whole (1.2-6.6%), except for sample 193/73 (Russia), for which it was 7.3%. This sample has the highest average and maximum protein content in the years of research. The selected 13 samples from the pea collection are of breeding value as initial parental forms in the direction of increasing the protein content in the pea grain and enhancing the stability of this indicator.

Visible injury and nitrogen metabolism of rice leaves under ozone stress, and effect on sugar and protein contents in grain

Background. Development of cultivars with high stable yields and high grain quality is the main trend in wheat breeding. The aim of this study was to characterize a set of winter bread wheat accessions from the VIR collection and the working collection of Kazan Scientific Center in terms of their yield, protein content in grain (P, %), and swelling of flour in acetic acid (S, ml), and select the best accessions for the combination of these characters for use in a crossbreeding program.Materials and methods. Twenty-three winter bread wheat accessions were studied for the abovementioned characters in the north of the Middle Volga Region using conventional techniques. The study lasted three years (2016–2019).Results and conclusion. The yield of the accessions varied across the years of studies; however, none of them surpassed the reference cv. ‘Kazanskaya 560’. The values of protein content in grain were medium or high. The following accessions had high and stable levels of protein content in grain (15.1–16.1%): ‘TAW 42971/80’ (k-58363, Germany); ‘Lutescens 471 N8’ (Kazakhstan); ‘Rita’ (k-58057), ‘Scotty’ (k-59322) and ‘Nelson’ (all from the U.S.); ‘Moskovskaya 39’ (k-65160, Russia); ‘Bilotserkivchanka’ (k-64330) and ‘Barkan’ (k-64495) (both from Ukraine). Flour swelling power in acetic acid did not fall below 50 ml, attesting to the formation of high-quality grain. This was also confirmed by the protein quality index determined by the S : P ratio, which ranged from 3.6 to 4.7. Sources with high-quality protein were selected from the tested accessions for use in breeding: ‘CDC Clair’ (k-64168, Canada), ‘Lutescens 471 Н8’ (Kazakhstan), ‘Moskovskaya 39’ (Russia), ‘Barkan’ (Ukraine), and ‘Favorytka’ (k-64337, Ukraine).

A study was made of the effects of different quantities of fertilizers (N, P, and K-manure) upon protein content of wheat grains when the plants were grown under a condition with warmer winter and rainy spring. The results obtained were as follows ; (1) Among three essential elements of fertilizers, nitrogen had considerable influence upon percentage of protein in wheat grains ; a series of N-manuring experiment ranging from none to 150 pounds per acre in the form of sulfate of ammonia revealed that protein content of grains from the plot without N-manure showed the highest and that of grains was at first decreased with the increase of the quantities of N-manure to some extent, but it was gradually increased with the application of an excess of N-manure. (2) Phosphorous manure had slight effects on the N-content ot grains and there was found a declination that the increase of P-manure resulted the decrease of the protein content of grains. (3) Potassium had almost no effect on the protein content. (4) It was known in this experiments that a large yield of high protein wheat can be secured by the sufficient supply of available nitrogen for the wheat plant during the whole growing period.

Abstract. The problem of improving the quality of winter wheat grain is urgent and at the same time relatively unresolved. In recent years, the yield of winter wheat on irrigated lands in many farms of the country is 50 cwt/ha and more. Depending on the type and variety of wheat, the protein content of the grains is 11–20% and is used for various purposes. If the protein content of wheat grains is up to 11–13%, it is used in the preparation of animal feed, up to 14–15% — bread and 17–18% — pasta. Most of the grains of winter soft wheat grown on irrigated lands of the country with a yield of 70–80 cwt/ha and above are used in the manufacture of bread and bakery products. At the same time, the quality of grain remains low, the protein content of the grain is up to 10–12%, the amount of crude gluten in it is in the range of 19–25%. The amount of this protein in the grain of winter wheat is much lower than the established norm, and the effectiveness of mineral fertilizers with foliar fertilization increases sharply, increasing the resistance of plants to sucking pests. The technological properties of the grain are dramatically improved, i. e. the protein content increases by 1.5–2.1%, gluten by 3.1–4.9%. Vitreous, its strength and bread volume increase. Nitrogen requirements of winter wheat are high throughout the growing season. In a wheat plant, 75–80% of nitrogen accumulates in the leaves and stems of the plant until the germination period. It is from this accumulated nitrogen that the bulk of the protein in the grain is formed. When the yield is high (65–70 cwt/ha), the amount of nitrogen accumulated in the leaves and stems of the plant does not ensure a sufficient amount of protein in the grain. In particular, nitrogen deficiency is observed in the formation of yield elements in winter wheat, i. e. during the period of development, flowering, flowering and milk ripening. For example, germination causes a number of difficulties in feeding through the soil due to overgrowth of the plant during flowering, low rainfall, or lack of water. On this reason, when winter wheat is harvested, there is a lack of nitrogen in the soil, which is easily absorbed by the plant. This in turn has a negative impact on wheat grain yield and quality.

Purpose: to reveal the influence of mineral fertilizers and hydrothermal conditions of the growing season on the yield and protein content in the spring wheat grain. Materials and methods. The research was carried out in Aksai district of Rostov region on the experimental field of Federal Rostov Agrarian Scientific Center (FRANTS). The objects of research are the yield and protein content in spring wheat grain, as well as the dose of mineral fertilizers. Testing, accounting and mathematical processing of the data obtained were carried out according to B. A. Dospekhov. Results. As a result of the research, it was found that the application of mineral fertilizers leads to a significant increase in the yield of spring wheat, regardless of the moisture supply of the growing season, the maximum increase was obtained with the introduction of N60P30K60. The application of mineral fertilizers leads not only to an increase in yield, but also to an increase in its dependence on the hydrothermal conditions of the growing season. Data analysis using a multiple correlation coefficient showed that in the variants with the mineral fertilizers application there was a close direct relationship between the yield, SCC and the amount of precipitation (r = 0.79...0.88 according to the variants of the experiment), while in the control variant it was average in terms of influence (r = 0.63...0.64). The accumulation of protein in spring wheat grain is influenced by the combined effect of the meteorological conditions of the growing season and the mineral fertilizers used. The maximum effect of the SCC and the amount of precipitation that fell during the growing season on the protein content in wheat grain was obtained with the introduction of K60 (the parameter was 53.7 and 51.8 %, respectively). Conclusions. The application of mineral fertilizers can significantly increase the yield of spring wheat and regulate the protein content in grain, reducing the influence of the hydrothermal conditions of the growing season. The best results were obtained with the introduction of N60P30K60, which makes it possible to reduce the negative effect of meteorological conditions and increase the yield by 9.3–92.8 % in comparison with the control variant.

The objective of this investigation was to map QTL controlling oil, protein, and starch concentrations in maize grain and to evaluate their genetic effects. The mapping population included 298 F2:3 family lines containing Beijing high-oil (BHO) maize germplasm. F2 individuals were genotyped with 183 SSR markers to construct a genetic linkage map, which spanned 1,605.7 cM, with an average interval of 8.77 cM. Oil, protein, and starch concentrations in grain among F2:3 families were measured by near-infrared (NIR) analyzer. Using QTL Cartographer, we mapped six QTL associated with oil in grain, six associated with protein, and five associated with starch concentrations. The proportion of phenotypic variation explained by single QTL ranged from 4.34 to 13.13% for oil, from 5.19 to 6.66% for protein, and from 4.14 to 7.85% for starch concentrations. QTL for oil, protein, or starch concentrations were often detected in identical intervals and the direction of their effects were consistent with the sign of their phenotypic correlation. They were considered as common QTL for chemical compositions in maize grain. In this study, we identified three QTL for oil in grain, two QTL for protein, and three QTL for starch concentrations, which were on identical or similar chromosomal locations to those previously mapped with Illinois high-oil (IHO) maize germplasm. These suggests that more diverse germplasm should be necessary to detect additional QTL and to discover more favorable alleles for chemical composition of maize grain.