Acid Content In Grains Research Articles

An Overview of Targeted Genome Editing Strategies for Reducing the Biosynthesis of Phytic Acid: an Anti-nutrient in Crop Plants.

Anti-nutrients are substances either found naturally or are of synthetic origin, which leads to the inactivation of nutrients and limits their utilization in metabolic processes. Phytic acid is classified as an anti-nutrient, as it has a strong binding affinity with most minerals like Fe, Zn, Mg, Ca, Mn, and Cd and impairs their proper metabolism. Removing anti-nutrients from cereal grains may enable the bioavailability of both macro- and micronutrients which is the desired goal of genetic engineering tools for the betterment of agronomic traits. Several strategies have been adopted to minimize phytic acid content in plants. Pursuing the molecular strategies, there are several studies, which result in the decrement of the total phytic acid content in grains of major as well as minor crops. Biosynthesis of phytic acid mainly takes place in the seed comprising lipid-dependent and lipid-independent pathways, involving various enzymes. Furthermore, some studies show that interruption of these enzymes may involve the pleiotropic effect. However, using modern biotechnological approaches, undesirable agronomic traits can be removed. This review presents an overview of different genes encoding the various enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of phytic acid which is being targeted for its reduction. It also, highlights and enumerates the variety of potential applications of genome editing tools such as TALEN, ZFN, and CRISPR/Cas9 to knock out the desired genes, and RNAi for their silencing.

Grain yield and quality of wheat are improved through post-flowering foliar application of zinc and 6- benzylaminopurine under water deficit condition.

Zinc (Zn) as an essential micronutrient and cytokinin as phytohormone not only regulate plant growth but also play fundamental roles in plant tolerance against drought stress. Understating the function and the role of cytokinin in combined with an essential micronutrient, Zn, could improve the choice of a sustainable strategy for improvement of plant drought stress. The objective of this field research was to determine the effect of post-flowering foliar application of ZnSO4 and 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) on grain yield and quality of winter wheat under water deficit condition. Experiments were conducted under filed condition. Drought was imposed by with holding irrigation at the beginning of flowering till the signs of temporary wilting/leaf rolling appeared, after which all plots were irrigated to field capacity. The foliar treatment consisted of (1) foliar application of water, as control treatment; (2) foliar application of 10 g ha-1 6-BAP; (3) Foliar application of 20 g ha-1 6-BAP; (4) Foliar application of 10 g ha-1 6-BAP plus foliar application of 6 kg ha-1 ZnSO4 solution and (5) foliar application of 10 g ha-1 6-BAP plus foliar application of 6 kg ha-1 ZnSO4 solution 2 days before drought imposition. Data were collected on grain and straw yield, yield attributes, harvest index, flag leaf fresh matter and dry matter weight, TaCKX6-D1 expression, phytic acid content in grains, mycorrhiza colonization rate and succinate dehydrogenase (SD) activity. According to ANOVA, the factor 'Zn' significantly affected leaf relative water content (p < 0.001). Relative water content for plants foliar applied with 6-BAP was not statistically significant. Applying Zn increased yield, straw dry weight, and kernel weight relative to plants sprayed with water alone. Increased grain yield due to foliar application of Zn was associated with decrease in cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (TaCKX) and increase in kernel weight. Results showed that the drought stress significantly decreased 1000-grain weight that was accompanied with over-expression of cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (TaCKX). Foliar application of Zn increased the concentration of Zn in grains. The experimental data on the zinc content of grain indicated no significant difference between the 6-BAP at 10 mg L-1 and control treatment. The phytate to Zn molar ratio was significantly affected by foliar applied Zn, but not significantly by applied 6-BAP. In the present study, SD activity of the hyphae of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (IAMF) associated with plant roots was also assayed. Results disclose that SD activity of IAMF was significantly affected by Zn treatments during grain filling stages. In summary, both foliar applied Zn and 6-BAP had the significant effects on all measured parameters in winter wheat. However, spike number, harvest index and mycorrhizal colonization rate were neither significantly affected by Zn nor 6- BAP. Foliar application of Zn at 0.6% (6 kg ha-1) and higher 6-BAP (20 mg L-1 m-2) promoted wheat growth and performances under imposed drought stress condition. Plant that only foliar sprayed with water showed higher level of TaCKX6-D1 expression as compared to Zn treated plants, indicating these plants were more affected by imposed drought relative to those plants treated with Zn. The results of this study provides evidence that a combination of Zn and 6-BAP could be an effective in improvement of drought tolerance of wheat and prevents grain yield from further reduction in terms of quality and quantity due to drought stress.

​Botanicals for Protection of Mungbean against Callosobruchus maculatus during Storage

Background: The mungbean/green gram is one of the major grain legume crops native to the Indian subcontinent, which was found damaged extensively by the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus during storage. Moreover, insect damage also causes chemical constituents of seeds leading to alteration in flavor, nutritive value, marketability and acceptability of the stored seeds. Therefore, present investigation was focused on evaluating bioefficacy of botanicals in the protection of green gram grains from C. maculatus and also the changes on biochemical properties during six months of storage. Methods: During the experimentation, green gram seeds were treated with selected botanicals in the form of oils, powders and their aqueous extracts and the effects on pulse beetle in terms of adult emergence and seed damage was recorded up to six months storage. Changes in biochemical constituents of the stored grains were also recorded . Result: The study revealed significantly lesser number of exit holes/100 grains (1.33 to 13.33), adult emergence (4.33 to 15.00 no.), weight loss (0.92 to 3.10%) and grain damage (1.40 to 5.40%) in neem oil @ 3.0% after one month interval. The crude protein values did not vary significantly among the treatments, but the alcoholic acidity varied between 0.30 - 0.94%. The uric acid content in grains was increased with insect population. Significantly lower values of free fatty acids were recorded in the standard check which was at par with all the concentrations of neem oil, Karanj oil and 3.0% mustard oil.

Combination of High Zn Density and Low Phytic Acid for Improving Zn Bioavailability in Rice (Oryza stavia L.) Grain

BackgroundZn deficiency is one of the leading public health problems in the world. Staple food crop, such as rice, cannot provide enough Zn to meet the daily dietary requirement because Zn in grain would chelate with phytic acid, which resulted in low Zn bioavailability. Breeding new rice varieties with high Zn bioavailability will be an effective, economic and sustainable strategy to alleviate human Zn deficiency.ResultsThe high Zn density mutant LLZ was crossed with the low phytic acid mutant Os-lpa-XS110–1, and the contents of Zn and phytic acid in the brown rice were determined for the resulting progenies grown at different sites. Among the hybrid progenies, the double mutant always displayed significantly higher Zn content and lower phytic acid content in grain, leading to the lowest molar ratio of phytic acid to Zn under all environments. As assessed by in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model, the double mutant contained the relatively high content of bioavailable Zn in brown rice.ConclusionsOur findings suggested pyramiding breeding by a combination of high Zn density and low phytic acid is a practical and useful approach to improve Zn bioavailability in rice grain.

An In Vivo Targeted Deletion of the Calmodulin-Binding Domain from Rice Glutamate Decarboxylase 3 (OsGAD3) Increases \u03b3-Aminobutyric Acid Content in Grains

BackgroundGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid present in all living things. GABA is mainly synthesized from glutamate by glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). In plants the enzymatic activity of GAD is activated by Ca2+/calmodulin binding (CaMBD) at the C-terminus in response to various stresses, allowing rapid GABA accumulation in cells. GABA plays a central role in not only stress responses but also many aspects of plant growth and development as a signaling molecules. Furthermore, it is known to be a health-promoting functional substance that exerts improvements in life-style related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and so on. Previous reports indicated that CaMBD found plant GADs possess an autoinhibitory function because truncation of GAD resulted in extreme GABA accumulation in plant cells. Therefore, we attempted a genetic modification of rice GAD via genome editing technology to increase GABA levels in the edible part of rice.ResultsIn this study, we focused on GAD3, one of five GAD genes present in the rice genome, because GAD3 is the predominantly expressed in seeds, as reported previously. We confirmed that GAD3 has an authentic Ca2+/CaMBD that functions as an autoinhibitory domain. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing was performed to trim the coding region of CaMBD off from the OsGAD3 gene, then introducing this transgene into rice scutellum-derived calli using an all-in-one vector harboring guide RNAs and CRISPR/Cas9 via Agrobacterium to regenerate rice plants. Out of 24 transformed rice (T1), a genome-edited rice line (#8_8) derived from two independent cleavages and ligations in the N-terminal position encoding OsGAD3-CaMBD and 40 bp downstream of the termination codon, respectively, displayed a AKNQDAAD peptide in the C-terminal region of the putative OsGAD3 in place of its intact CaMBD (bold indicates the trace of the N-terminal dipeptides of the authentic CaMBD). A very similar rice line (#8_1) carrying AKNRSSRRSGR in OsGAD3 was obtained from one base pair deletion in the N-terminal coding region of the CaMBD. Free amino acid analysis of the seeds (T2) indicated that the former line contained seven-fold higher levels of GABA than wild-type, whereas the latter line had similar levels to the wild-type, although in vitro enzyme activities of recombinant GAD proteins based on the GAD3 amino acid sequence elucidated from these two lines in the absence of Ca2+/bovine CaM were both higher than wild-type counterpart. In addition to high level of GABA in #8_8, the average seed weight per grain and protein content were superior to wild-type and #8_1.ConclusionsWe have successfully established GABA-fortified rice by using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. Modified rice contained seven-fold higher GABA content and furthermore displayed significantly higher grain weight and protein content than wild-type brown rice. This is the first report of the production of GABA-enriched rice via a genome editing.

Agrobiological characteristics of spelt wheat and intermediate wheatgrass under the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Agrobiological characteristics of spelt wheat and intermediate wheatgrass under the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Amino acid content in rice grains is affected by high temperature during the early grain-filling period

Amino acid content in grains is an important nutritional quality trait in rice. High temperature can affect rice quality by accelerating grain filling. However, there is limited information available on the influence of high temperature on amino acid content in rice grains, especially under natural conditions. In this study, grain-filling traits and amino acid content in the grain of two rice cultivars (Luliangyou 996 and Lingliangyou 268) were compared between two years (2016 and 2017) with contrasting temperatures during the early grain-filling period under field conditions. Average daily mean temperature during the period of 0–5 days after full heading in 2016 (30.1 °C) was 5.4 °C higher than that in 2017. Initial, maximum, and mean grain-filling rates were 42–307% higher in 2016 than in 2017 for Luliangyou 996 and Lingliangyou 268. The time taken to reach the maximum grain-filling rate and active grain-filling duration were 6.3–10.7 d shorter in 2016 compared to 2017 for Luliangyou 996 and Lingliangyou 268. Grain weight was equal to or significantly higher in 2016 than in 2017 for Luliangyou 996 and Lingliangyou 268. N accumulation and N content in the grain were significantly lower in 2016 than in 2017 for both cultivars. The grain contents of all detected amino acids, except for methionine in Luliangyou 996, were significantly lower in 2016 than in 2017. Our study suggests that high temperature during the early grain-filling period can result in an accelerated grain-filling process, reduced N accumulation and content in rice grains, and consequently reduced amino acid content in the grain.

Characterization of amino acid content of grain of new wheat varieties and lines

Aim. To determine the formation of bound amino acids in grain of new wheat varieties and its biological value. Methods. Field, physical-chemical, computational, analysis. Results. The differences in amino acid composi- tion of new varieties and lines of wheat were analyzed. It was established that the highest content of essential amino acids was in the grain of the Kulundynka variety (5.18 %) or 2.5 times higher compared to the standard (2.99 %). Their content in the grain of soft wheat, obtained by the hybridization of Triticum aestivum L./Triti- cum spelta L., was 1.4–1.5 times higher compared to the control. The grain of the soft variety Kulundynka had the highest biological value as the score of essential amino acids was not defi cient and the remaining varieties were defi cient in 2–5 amino acids. Only methionine was defi cient in the grain of soft wheat lines (AAS = 64– 74 %). Conclusions. The content of amino acids in soft wheat grain depends considerably on weather condi- tions, selective-genetic origin of the variety and the line. Glutamic acid, proline, and leucine were found to be most abundant. Out of nine samples of soft wheat tested, only the seed of the Kulundynka variety had a non- defi cient amino acid score (91–298 %), and in the Pannonikus variety methionine was limited (49 %). The best balanced content of amino acids is present in the grain of non-spelt lines, obtained by hybridization of Triticum aestivum L. and Triticum spelta L., namely Р 7 and LPP 1314. The grain of these lines has a non-defi cient amino acid score, more methionine (AAS = 64–74 %), and supplies human daily requirement in the best way. The grain has a high index of complex estimation and metabolization coeffi cient for essential amino acids.

Differential Calcium responsiveness in terms of Plant's Growth and accumulation of Nutrient-Anti nutrient in two Finger Millet Genotypes differing in grain Calcium content using a designed Circulatory Hydroponics system

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) commonly known as ragi is model crop of choice for variety of reasons. These include its high nutraceutical value, excellent storage qualities and most important low input crop. In this study, circulatory hydroponic system was designed and optimized to assess the nutrient responsiveness under the influence of exogenous calcium (Ca) application in finger millet. Impact of different concentrations of exogenous Ca in the form of calcium nitrate on plant's growth and nutrient-antinutrient changes were determined in grains of two contrasting genotypes GP-1 (low Ca) and GP-45 (high Ca) of finger millet. The plants were supplied regularly with different levels of Ca in Hoagland's nutrient medium. Up to 10 mM of exogenous supplied Ca concentration, the threshold potential in terms of Ca accumulation as well as different plant's growth parameters of GP-45 (high Ca) genotype was higher than GP-1 (low Ca); while at 20 mM of Ca concentration, the decline in Ca accumulation and plant's growth was observed in both the genotypes. The highest Ca accumulation was recorded in GP-45 genotype at 10 mM of Ca concentration. Interestingly, with increasing concentration of exogenous Ca, a higher oxalic acid content in grains was observed in GP-1 while higher content of tartaric acid were observed in GP-45 genotype having high grain Ca. These results revealed that Ca interacts with oxalic acid and other organic acids like tartaric acid which is genotype dependent. Hence, the interaction of Ca with antinutrient(s) might be under control of both genetic and epigenetic factor(s).

Pre-drought priming sustains grain development under post-anthesis drought stress by regulating the growth hormones in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Drought stress during grain filling is the most yield-damaging to wheat. Pre-drought priming facilitated the wheat plants to sustain grain development against the post-anthesis drought stress by modulating the levels of growth hormones. Post-anthesis drought stress substantially reduces grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) due to impaired grain development associated with imbalanced levels of growth hormones. To investigate whether pre-drought priming could sustain grain development in wheat by regulating favorable levels of growth hormones under post-anthesis drought conditions, the plants of a drought-sensitive (Yangmai-16) and drought-tolerant (Luhan-7) wheat cultivar were exposed to a moderate drought stress during tillering (Feekes 2 stage) for priming, and then, a subsequent severe drought stress was applied from 7 to 14days after anthesis. The results showed that drought-stressed plants of both cultivars showed a decline in flag leaf water potential, chlorophyll contents, photosynthetic rate, grain size initiation, and grain filling as compared to well-watered plants; however, decline in these traits was less in pre-drought primed (PD) plants than in nonprimed (ND) plants. Under drought stress, the PD plants regulated higher concentrations of zeatin and zeatin riboside, indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellins, and lower abscisic acid content in grains, resulting in higher endosperm cell division and expansion, grain size initiation, grain-filling rate and duration, and finally higher grain dry weights as compared to ND plants. The PD plants of both cultivars showed higher potential to tolerate the post-anthesis drought stress, but more effect was displayed by drought-tolerant cultivar. From the achieved results, it was concluded that pre-drought priming facilitated the wheat plants to sustain higher grain development and yield against the most yield-damaging post-anthesis drought stress by modulating the levels of growth hormones.

Effects of Long-term Fertilization on Grain Quality of Summer Maize

To study the effect of non-calcareous fluvo-aquic soil long-term fertilization on grain quality of summer maize to improve the nutritional grain quality of summer maize. The use of began in 1978 Laiyang non-calcareous fluvo-aquic soil long-term experiment in 2003, 2013 summer maize grain and determination of the grain quality of summer maize in the main indicators of protein, starch, crude fat, etc. and the necessary of summer maize grain under different fertilizer amino acids in hierarchical clustering analysis. The study have shown that different long-term fertilization experiment, The M2N2 of grain protein content was the highest, in 2003 and 2013 respectively is 9.01 and 10.21%; the M2N2 of crude fat content was the highest, respectively is 4.95 and 5.35%; In fertilization treatment, the M2 of starch content was the highest, respectively 68.55 and 69.58%; amino acid content of grain between 5.45-9.57% in 2013,the content of amino acid in the grain between 4.81-8.65% in 2003, all M2N2 of amino acid content was the highest. In 17 kinds of amino acids, glutamic acid content was the highest, in 2003 and 2013 the average content of glutamic acid were respectively 1.32 and 1.57%; the variation degree of tyrosine was the biggest, the coefficient of variation were 54.48, 50.60%; analysis of seed of 17 kinds of amino acids in hierarchical clustering, the 2013 can be grouped into 3 categories, 2003 was grouped into 4 categories. The results showed that long-term different organic fertilizer and their treatment with nitrogen on different effects on grain quality of summer maize; organic fertilizer can help to improve grain quality of summer maize and nitrogen is an effective method to improve the maize grain protein, amino acid content.

Inheritance Analysis of Linoleic Acid Content in Half Diallel Maize Populations

In the last few years, the analysis of fatty acids has gained importance because of their nutritional and health implications. This increased attention led to a half dialell crossing design study during 2006 and 2007 seasons in Edirne -Turkey conditions. In this study, 28 F1 maize hybrids were obtained by 8x8 half diallel crossing. In half – diallel maize population, inheritance of linoleic acid content in grains and combining ability were investigated. Mean squares of inbred lines and hybrids were highly significant for all studies traits, indicating the genetic variance among lines. This study examined inheritance of linoleic acid which is an important unsaturated fatty acid for potential health benefits. Therefore, linoleic acid content and inheritance in maize oil was investigated in this research. The linoleic acid content in grain was under the dominance gene effect. Also linoleic acid content was affected by additive gene effects.

Enrichment of a common wheat genetic map and QTL mapping for fatty acid content in grain

DArT and SSR markers were used to saturate and improve a previous genetic map of RILs derived from the cross Chuan35050 × Shannong483. The new map comprised 719 loci, 561 of which were located on specific chromosomes, giving a total map length of 4008.4 cM; the rest 158 loci were mapped to the most likely intervals. The average chromosome length was 190.9 cM and the marker density was 7.15 cM per marker interval. Among the 719 loci, the majority of marker loci were DArTs (361); the rest included 170 SSRs, 100 EST–SSRs, and 88 other molecular and biochemical loci. QTL mapping for fatty acid content in wheat grain was conducted in this study. Forty QTLs were detected in different environments, with single QTL explaining 3.6–58.1% of the phenotypic variations. These QTLs were distributed on 16 chromosomes. Twenty-two QTLs showed positive additive effects, with Chuan35050 increasing the QTL effects, whereas 18 QTLs were negative with increasing effects from Shannong483. Six sets of co-located QTLs for different traits occurred on chromosomes 1B, 1D, 2D, 5D, and 6B.

Arsenate Exposure Affects Amino Acids, Mineral Nutrient Status and Antioxidants in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes

Simulated pot experiments were conducted on four rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes (Triguna, IR-36, PNR-519, and IET-4786) to examine the effects of As(V) on amino acids and mineral nutrient status in grain along with antioxidant response to arsenic exposure. Rice genotypes responded differentially to As(V) exposure in terms of amino acids and antioxidant profiles. Total amino acid content in grains of all rice genotypes was positively correlated with arsenic accumulation. While, most of the essential amino acids increased in all cultivars except IR-36, glutamic acid and glycine increased in IET-4786 and PNR-519. The level of nonprotein thiols (NPTs) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) increased in all rice cultivars except IET-4786. A significant genotypic variation was also observed in specific arsenic uptake (SAU; mg kg(-1)dw), which was in the order of Triguna (134) > IR-36 (71) > PNR-519 (53) > IET-4786 (29). Further, application of As(V) at lower doses (4 and 8 mg L(-1) As) enhanced the accumulation of selenium (Se) and other nutrients (Fe, P, Zn, and S), however, higher dose (12 mg L(-1) As) limits the nutrient uptake in rice. In conclusion, low As accumulating genotype, IET-4786, which also had significantly induced level of essential amino acids, seems suitable for cultivation in moderately As contaminated soil and would be safe for human consumption.

The QTL controlling amino acid content in grains of rice (Oryza sativa) are co-localized with the regions involved in the amino acid metabolism pathway

The improvement of grain quality, such as protein content (PC) and amino acid composition, has been a major concern of rice breeders. We constructed a population of 190 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between Zhenshan 97 and Nanyangzhan to map the quantitative trait locus or loci (QTL) for amino acid content (AAC) as characterized by each of the AACs, total essential AAC, and all AAC. Using the data collected from milled rice in 2002 and 2004, we identified 18 chromosomal regions for 19 components of AAC. For 13 of all the loci, the Zhenshan 97 allele increased the trait values. Most QTL were co-localized, forming ten QTL clusters in 2002 and six in 2004. The QTL clusters varied in both effects and locations, and the mean values of variation explained by individual QTL in the clusters ranged from 4.3% to 28.82%. A relatively strong QTL cluster, consisting of up to 19 individual QTL, was found at the bottom of chromosome 1. The major QTL clusters identified for two different years were coincident. A wide coincidence was found between the QTL we detected and the loci involved in amino acid metabolism pathways, including N assimilation and transfer, and amino acid or protein biosynthesis. The results will be useful for candidate gene identification and marker-assisted favorable allele transfer in rice breeding programs.

Effect of genetically modified low phytic acid plants on mineral absorption

SummaryThe reduction of phytic acid content in grains by genetic manipulation is a novel approach to increase mineral absorption from food based diets. Low phytic acid corn (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare) and soybean (Gycine max) genotypes have been generated and mineral absorption has been evaluated. Genetically modified low phytic acid plants could be a novel contribution to the reduction of micronutrient malnutrition and animal waste phosphorus. Nevertheless, additional research needs to be done to understand the molecular biology and genetics of phytic acid accumulation during seed development, the negative and positive roles of dietary phytic acid in human health and the feasibility and effectiveness of the sustainable implementation of this approach at the community level.

Bestimmung der Fols�ure-Gehalte von Getreide, Getreideprodukten, Backwaren und H�lsenfr�chten mit Hilfe der Hochleistungsfl�ssigchromatographie (HPLC)

The folic acid content of grain, cereal products (including beer), bakery products and legumes was determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Free folate (monoglutamate forms) and total folate (monoglutamate + polyglutamate forms) were differentiated. Of the grain analysed, rye, with a mean value of 143 micrograms/100 g, contained more total folate than wheat (mean = 91 micrograms/100 g). The total folate content of bakery products ranged from 14 micrograms/100 g (whole grain rye bread) to 88 micrograms/100 g (crispbread). Beer had a very low total folate content (mean = 3 micrograms/100 ml). The mean of the free folate portion was 76.5% in grain and cereal products and 65.6% in bakery products. Of the legumes analysed, beans (mean = 128 micrograms/100 g) had the highest content of total folate, followed by lentils (103 micrograms/100 g) and peas (57 micrograms/100 g). The mean value of the free folate portion in legumes (73.1%) was comparable with the values of grain, cereal products and bakery products. In addition to tetrahydrofolic acid (THF), 5-methyl-THF and 5-formyl-THF, pteroylglutamic acid (PteGlu) and 10-formyl-PteGlu were determined in all products (except beer). Their proportion (PteGlu + 10-formyl-PteGlu) of the total folate content ranged from 23.5% to 44.4%.

Impact of potassium, sodium, and salinity on the protein-and free amino acid content of wheat grain

A lysimeter study was conducted on Cajeme wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to investigate the impact of salinity on protein and free amino acid content of the grain. Cross correlations were obtained between 16 different soil-plant-water based parameters and the concentration and total accumulation of amino acids.

Stored Wheat Insect Infestation Related to Uric Acid as Determined by Liquid Chromatography

Liquid chromatography is used to measure the uric acid content of wheat internally infested by various growth stages of granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius), rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae), and lesser grain borer (Ryzopertha dominica). Good correlation exists between numbers of insects and uric acid content of grain infested by a given stage of an internally infesting stored product insect, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.970 to 0.998. Uric acid content of infested grain increases as the insect life cycle progresses, with granary weevil producing the greatest quantities of uric acid followed in order by rice weevil and lesser grain borer. A detection limit for the analytical procedure of less than 1.0 ppm uric acid allows detection of infestation levels as low as one kernel per 100 g grain for late instar granary weevil larvae. This limit is sufficiently sensitive to detect levels of infestation that may be commonly encountered in commerce.

Effects of Treated Municipal Waste Water on Growth, Fiber, Protein, and Amino Acid Content of Sorghum Grain

AbstractExperiments were conducted at Tucson, Arizona, to study effects of treated municipal waste water on growth, fiber, protein, and amino acid content of grain from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.). Sorghum grain was grown in two soil types: (i) Comoro sandy loam, and (ii) Grade silt loam. Three irrigation and fertilizer treatments were used: (i) well water plus suggested amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) (112, 35, and 1 kg/ha of N, P, and K, respectively); (ii) well water plus N, P, and K from commercial sources in amounts equal to those found in waste water (224, 73, and 140 kg/ha of N, P, and K, respectively); and (iii) waste water from an activated sludge sewage plant (224, 73, and 140 kg/ha of N, P, and K, respectively).When sorghum was grown for grain in Comoro sandy loam, average number of days from planting to maturity, leaf length, and grain yield were higher in plots that received waste water than in plots that received well water and suggested amounts of N, P, and K. Sorghum grown with waste water produced higher grain yields than when grown with synthetic waste water. The plant growth response of sorghum to waste water, when grown in Grabe silt loam, was similar to that observed when the crop was produced in Comoro sandy loam. Sorghum grain grown with all irrigation and fertilizer treatments contained similar amounts of total protein. In sandy loam soil, grain from sorghum grown with simulated waste water and waste water alone contained less cystine, glycine, and histidine than did grain produced with suggested culture. Grain grown with all treatments, in both soil types, contained similar amounts of leucine, methionine, threonine, and tyrosine. Municipal waste water may be an effective source of irrigation water and plant nutrients in the production of high yields of high quality sorghum grain for livestock feed in the irrigated areas of the southwestern U. S.