Amount Of Wheat Research Articles

Abscisic acid improves drought resilience, growth, physio-biochemical and quality attributes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at critical growth stages

Wheat is an important staple crop not only in Pakistan but all over the globe. Although the area dedicated to wheat cultivation expands annually, the quantity of wheat harvested is declining due to various biotic and abiotic factors. Global wheat production and output have suffered as a result of the drought, which is largely driven by a lack of water and environmental factors. Organic fertilizers have been shown to reduce the severity of drought. The current research was conducted in semi-arid climates to mitigate the negative effects of drought on wheat during its critical tillering (DTS), flowering (DFS), and grain filling (DGFS) stages through the application of three different abscisic acid treatments: ABA0 (0 mgL−1) control, ABA1 (100 mgL−1) and ABA2 (200 mgL−1). Wheat growth and yield characteristics were severely harmed by drought stress across all critical development stages, with the DGFS stage being particularly vulnerable and leading to a considerable loss in yield. Plant height was increased by 24.25%, the number of fertile tillers by 25.66%, spike length by 17.24%, the number of spikelets per spike by 16.68%, grain count per spike by 11.98%, thousand-grain weight by 14.34%, grain yield by 26.93% and biological yield by 14.55% when abscisic acid (ABA) was applied instead of the control treatment. Moreover, ABA2 increased the more physiological indices (water use efficiency (36.12%), stomatal conductance (44.23%), chlorophyll a (24.5%), chlorophyll b (29.8%), transpiration rate (23.03%), photosynthetic rate (24.84%), electrolyte leakage (− 38.76%) hydrogen peroxide (− 18.09%) superoxide dismutase (15.3%), catalase (20.8%), peroxidase (− 18.09%), and malondialdehyde (− 13.7%)) of drought-stressed wheat as compared to other treatments. In the case of N, P, and K contents in grain were maximally improved with the application of ABA2. Through the use of principal component analysis, we were able to correlate our results across scales and provide an explanation for the observed effects of ABA on wheat growth and production under arid conditions. Overall, ABA application at a rate of 200 mgL−1 is an effective technique to boost wheat grain output by mitigating the negative effects of drought stress.

Quality and safety of products using GM soybeans in the diet of bulls

The production of high-quality and safe food products in areas contaminated by radiation due to the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident remains a pressing issue. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration and transfer factors of 137Cs, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in bull products when including various high-protein feeds, such as narrow-leaved lupin and genetically modified soybean, in their diets. The study employed zootechnical methods (design and conduct of a scientific-economic experiment on animals), radiological and spectrometric methods (determination of the concentration of 137Cs, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in feeds, longissimus dorsi muscle, liver, kidneys, and testes of bulls), and statistical methods. It was established that when using GM soybean in the grain mixture, the concentration of 137Cs in the muscle tissue of animals in Group II (experimental) decreased relative to the control by 2.57 Bq/kg, or by 40.5% with a statistically significant difference between groups (P > 0.99). Furthermore, the transfer factor of the radionuclide into the muscle tissue of animals in Group II compared to Group I also had 2.15% abs. lower. The content of Pb in the muscle tissue of bulls in both experimental groups exceeded the maximum permissible concentration by 2.52-2.78 times, while the concentration of Cd in the longissimus dorsi muscle and Cu in the liver of animals in Group II also exceeded sanitary-hygienic requirements by 10.0% and 2.0%, respectively. The introduction of 40% (by mass) of maize grain and 30% of GM soybean into the grain mixture instead of the same amount of wheat and lupin chop during the fattening of animals in the third zone of radioactive contamination contributed to significantly higher content and transfer of heavy metals into muscle tissue: Pb – by 10.3% and 0.10% abs., Cd – 10.0 and 0.03, Cu – 17.2 and 0.53, and Zn – by 17.2% and 2.40% abs. The results of the research can be used in agricultural enterprises and private households that produce livestock products in areas with a high anthropogenic load

AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF WHEAT PRODUCTION IN THE LIGHT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN INDIA

India is the second-largest producer of wheat in the world. Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Gujarat are the major wheat-producing states. Out of all of these states, Uttar Pradesh produces the larger quantity of wheat. Wheat is exported by India to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, the Philippines, and Indonesia. This study aims to analyze the effects of climate change and other non-climatic factors on wheat production in India between 1991 and 2021. The researcher used climate and non-climate change variables: mean, maximum, minimum temperature, rainfall, production, net MSP, and cultivation area. This work tested long-run cointegration using an Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bound test cointegration technique to evaluate short-run relationships among modeled variables. CUSUM and CUSUMQ tests assure model reliability and validity. The study’s findings demonstrated that the cultivated area has a major role in enhancing wheat output in the short and long term, while precipitation favors wheat production. In India, a 1% increase in cultivation area can increase 1.3% in wheat production in the long run. In the short run, a 1% increase in cultivation area increased 0.58% wheat production in India. Furthermore, although the temperature has little immediate effect, it is crucial for boosting wheat output over the long term.

<p>The Contribution of Each Brazilian Estate to the Competitiveness of the Country’s Wheat Exports (1999-2022)</p>

The objective of this study is to measure the competitiveness of Brazilian wheat exporting states through the application of the performance matrix of Farias and Farias (2018), which is based on the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and the Relative Position (RPI) indexes. The main results obtained reveal that the country is not self-sufficient in wheat production, nor does it stand out in exports, needing to import large quantities of wheat to meet domestic demand. Among the producing states, São Paulo was the only one to present Revealed Comparative Advantages, and external potential. On the other hand, the Southern states (Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, and Santa Catarina) do not have Revealed Comparative Advantages, but they are efficient in the commercialization of wheat to the international market, which indicates that these locations have internal potential to improve their competitiveness in this sector.

Barley and wheat beta-glucan content influenced by weather, fertilization, and genotype

IntroductionBeta-glucan is one of the most important dietary fibers in cereal grains, having a great impact on human health and food quality. Wheat and barley are strategic crops and their fibers contribute toward their nutraceutical impact. However, the health of the environment is also important to ensure sustainable crop production. Hence the European decision makers have agreed to move toward organic cropping and to reduce the use of mineral fertilizers. Environment and agricultural management have a vast impact on the content of β-glucan in cereal grains. To exploit the valuable properties of β-glucan, the knowledge of factors increasing the amount of this component is crucial. We hypothesized that annual weather conditions, nitrogen fertilization, and cropping system affect the β-glucan amount in wheat and barley.MethodsFor this purpose, spring barley and winter wheat flour samples from an 8-year-long period (2014-2021) were characterized. The experiment included conventional and organic cropping systems with different nitrogen rates between 0 and 150 kg ha−1. In addition, the variation of β-glucan content in different varieties was analyzed.Results and discussionThe results showed that the content of β-glucan in barley and wheat grains was affected mainly by weather conditions not by fertilization. The latter finding means that the regulation of crop nutrition is not going to impact dietary fiber content in our everyday food. Lower temperatures during tillering and higher 1,000 kernel weight and test weight showed a positive correlation with β-glucan content in barley grains, while precipitation during the grain filling period had a negative correlation. Our findings suggest that β-glucan can be obtained from low-input and organic systems as efficiently as from fertilized treatments. However, there is a need for adaptation strategies in industry, as β-glucan content can vary from year to year.

Balancing quality with quantity: A case study of UK bread wheat

Societal Impact StatementIncreasing crop productivity is often proposed as a key goal for meeting the food security demands of a growing global population. However, achieving high crop yields alone without meeting end‐use quality requirements is counter to this objective and can lead to negative environmental and sustainability issues. High yielding feed wheat crops in the United Kingdom are a typical example of this. The historical context of UK agricultural industrialisation, developments in plant breeding and wheat end‐use processing are examined. We then outline how employing innovations in plant breeding methods offer the potential to redress the balance between wheat quantity and quality.SummaryBread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has historically been an important crop for many human civilisations. Today, variability in wheat supply and trade has a large influence on global economies and food security. The United Kingdom is an example of an industrialised country that achieves high wheat yields through intensive cropping systems and a favourable climate. However, only a minority of the wheat grain produced is of suitable end‐use quality for modern bread baking methods and most wheat produced is fed to livestock. A large agricultural land area and input use dedicated to producing grain for animal rather than human food has wide‐ranging negative impacts for environmental sustainability and domestic food production. Here we present an historical perspective of agricultural and economic changes that have resulted in UK production primarily focussing on wheat quantity over quality. Agricultural intensification, liberalisation of free trade in agricultural commodities, innovations in the milling and baking sector, developments in scientific understanding of genetics and plant breeding, and geopolitical changes have all played a role. We propose that wheat breeding plays a crucial role in influencing these issues and although wheat breeders in the United Kingdom have historically applied the most‐up‐to‐date scientific advances, recent advances in genomics tools and quantitative genetics present a unique opportunity for breeders to redress the balance between quantity and quality.

Wheat Quantity Monitoring Methods Based on Inventory Measurement and SVR Prediction Model

Due to the influences of the storage environment, water content change, particle settlement, natural loss, and other factors, the distribution density of wheat and the volume of grain pile in the storage process are gradually changed so that the single weight calculation method cannot objectively evaluate the storage quantity of wheat and also causes difficulties to the regular inspection of the quantity of wheat stock. To meet the practical needs of wheat inventory monitoring, a wheat inventory monitoring method based on inventory measurement and the support vector machine regression (SVR) prediction model is proposed. By collecting the working papers for the physical inspection of wheat in grain warehouses in Shanxi province, Hebei province, Henan province, Jiangsu province, and other places, the storage time, storage weight, storage moisture content, measured moisture content, measured volume weight, measured net volume, and measured weight for inspection were selected as training samples for the SVR prediction model, and kernel function selection and parameter optimization were carried out. We developed an optimal prediction model for the amount of wheat in the grain depots. In the actual grain store measurement process, the net volume of wheat in the current grain store was obtained by a laser volumetric measuring apparatus, the actual bulk density of wheat was sampled, and the actual moisture content of wheat was measured by sampling. The three samples, their storage time, their storage moisture content, and their storage weight were fed into the trained SVR prediction model as new samples, and the predicted weight of the wheat in the current grain store was obtained from the output. The error rate calculation procedure was introduced to achieve an anomalous judgment error rate for grain depots. The experimental results showed that the SVR prediction model based on the linear kernel function had a very low mean squared error and high determination coefficient, and the average prediction accuracy of the grain stock error rate reached 93.2 percent, which can meet the requirements of wheat quantity monitoring in grain warehouses.

Unraveling On-Farm Wheat Loss in Fars Province, Iran: A Qualitative Analysis and Exploration of Potential Solutions with Emphasis on Agricultural Cooperatives

Given wheat’s global significance as a primary food crop, and its importance in providing essential nutrition to millions of people worldwide, reducing on-farm losses is crucial to promoting food security, sustainable agriculture, and economic stability. Wheat plays a critical role in food security in Iran, as it is a staple food consumed daily by a large proportion of the population, and is also a vital component of the country’s food self-sufficiency policy. The present study aims to identify the causes and extent of on-farm wheat loss in Fars province, a major wheat-producing area in Iran. Nine experts were interviewed, using open-ended questions, in October 2018. The study revealed that a considerable amount of wheat is lost due to seed overuse, pest infestation, and improper harvesting. The paper discusses the underlying factors associated with these over-arching causes, and highlights their adverse environmental, economic, and societal impacts. The paper also explores potential approaches to take in addressing the issue, and suggests empowering agricultural cooperatives through changes in the government’s engagement with wheat production. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders which are useful for developing effective strategies to reduce on-farm loss, particularly in countries where intensified farming is promoted. These strategies may include limiting the government’s central control and, instead, empowering agricultural cooperatives, as well as adopting supportive approaches, such as improving farmers’ access to proper machinery, and enhancing their sovereignty and freedom.

First report of Fusarium poae Causing Fusarium head Blight of Wheat in India.

Wheat is one of major cereal crops with paramount importance that is cultivated across the globe. Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a catastrophic disease of wheat which has recently risen to prominence due to its direct impact on the quality and quantity of wheat on a global scale. During a field survey conducted in Rabi 2021-22, wheat spikes showing characteristic symptoms of head blight were observed in northern parts of the Karnataka, India, in the districts Bagalkote, Belagavi and Dharwad. The infected spikelets from the heads with symptoms of infection were washed well in distilled water and surface sterilized using 1% sodium hypochlorite solution. They were further washed using sterilized distilled water to remove the traces of sodium hypochlorite. These spikelets were then transferred to sterile potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates under aseptic conditions. The plates were incubated at a temperature of 27±1°C for ten days to obtain good fungal growth. The fungus produced white to orangish pink, dense mycelia and hyaline septate hyphae. Macroconidia were sickle-shaped measuring 35.7 to 52.6 x 3.2 to 5.1 µm, dorsoventrally curved with an elongated basal cell ending in a prominent long foot; the apical cell was also elongated, tapered, slightly curved. Spores had 3 to 4 cells and formed on monophialide. Microconidia and chlamydospores were present only in a few isolates. Fungal genomic DNA was extracted from all the established isolates using CTAB (Cetyl-trimethyl ammonium bromide) method (Murray and Thompson, 1980). The ITS region of r-DNA and translation elongation factor-1 alpha (TEF-1α) genes of the ten isolates were amplified using ITS1/ITS4 primer pair (White et al. 1990) and the species-specific EF1F/EF1R primer pair (O'Donnell et al., 1998) respectively, to detect and distinguish within Fusarium species. The results exhibited 95% similarity with Fusarium poae with GenBank Accession No. XMO44849482.1. which was previously reported as a causal agent of Fusarium head blight of wheat in Georgia, USA. The TEF1-α sequences were deposited in the GenBank and the accession numbers from OP716756 to OP716765 were obtained. For the pathogenicity test, spore suspension containing a load of 108 conidia ml-1 was prepared from ten days old Fusarium poae culture and sprayed on the healthy wheat heads of the susceptible variety UAS-304 during anthesis stage by using hand atomizer. Control plants were sprayed in a similar manner with sterile distilled water. In order to enhance disease development and increase the accuracy of the evaluation, humidity was maintained for 72 hours post-inoculation period by covering each spike with a plastic bag and misting at least once daily. The characteristic head blight symptoms were observed in the inoculated wheat spikes. No symptoms were noticed in the water-treated control. The plants initially showed bleaching in single spikelet after seven days of inoculation, which eventually spread to the entire spike. After fourteen days of inoculation, the spikes showed blighted appearance with pinkish or orangish mass of mycelia grown on the affected region. The pathogen was further reisolated from the infected plants and examined under the microscope. The similar morphological features as that of the originally inoculated pathogen was observed, hence fulfilling Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Fusarium poae causing head blight of wheat in India. Keeping the current climate change scenario in view, the plausibility of this pathogen causing a major havoc in the near future must not be ignored, considering the fact that it has a wide host range and highly evolving nature. The ubiquity of the Fusarium head blight recently in northern parts of Karnataka urges the need to conduct further studies on the variability, distribution and management of the pathogen.

Participation and equity shareholding benefits among wheat farmers’ multipurpose cooperatives in Southern Ethiopia

The study assessed cooperative members’ participation and its effect on their equity shareholding benefit. This cross-sectional designed study covered 371 stallholders’ wheat producing members from 27 primary cooperatives in three wheat producing districts. Survey questionnaire and key informant interviews were used for data collection. Multiple linear regression analyses were done on six participation variables to identify their relationship with members’ individual equity shareholding benefit. The result showed that, three participation variables, namely years in membership, number of shares, and quantity of wheat produce supplied were identified as significant predictors of benefit (p<0.05) and are therefore, deemed to have influence on the individual equity shareholding of members in their cooperatives. Based on the study findings the study recommended that the regional cooperative agency and affiliated zonal and district public service providing structures should work on how to strengthen those participation aspects having influence on member’s equity shareholding benefit. This can be used as springboard to further encourage members’ participation. Increased equity shareholding in turn, will contribute and eventually address the recurrently reported financial problem of cooperative societies both investment and working capital and their dependence on fragile external sources; on sustainable manner. Cooperative societies should encourage members to supply more quality produce to their cooperatives by giving them tangible benefits in price reward and patronage dividend. The Regional and Federal governments need to create a supportive policy environment to enable farmers’ cooperative societies to own the fertilizer business, including importing and distribution to the village level, which is the main function that these societies are assumed to perform. More importantly, focus should be given to improve members’ participation on the management and decision-making process. This is because, as members based entity, the fundamental organizational characteristics of cooperative, which is members’ ownership, use and control is assumed to be manifested in due process of making decisions that are affecting the affairs of their society. Key words: Cooperatives, Equity, Ethiopia, Farmers, Members, Wheat, Participation, Shareholding

Effects of substituting wheat by rye in diets for young fattening pigs on nutrient digestibility, performance, products of intestinal fermentation, and fecal characteristics.

Climate change and increasing demands to reduce the environmental impact of feed production are major challenges for animal nutritionists. Compared to wheat, which is commonly used in high levels in European piglet diets, rye is more efficient in using limited resources, most importantly, water and phosphorus. As a result, its cultivation has a relatively low carbon footprint. The high amounts of non-starch polysaccharides of rye might lead to an increased intestinal fermentation with potential beneficial effects on gut health. However, the high levels of non-starch polysaccharides in rye, which have a major impact on the physico-chemical conditions of the digesta, might affect digestibility and performance especially in young animals. It was therefore of interest to compare the effects of isoenergetic diets with increasing levels of rye as a replacement for wheat fed to young fattening pigs (bodyweight: 16-40 kg). The control diet contained 69% of wheat, while in the other three experimental diets, the amount of wheat was gradually replaced (by a third in each case) with rye. Thus, the experimental diets contained 23, 46, and 69% of rye. A total of 40 young pigs were housed individually in four dietary treatment groups. During a 4 week trial, effects on performance, digestibility, products of intestinal fermentation, and fecal characteristics were evaluated. There were no negative effects on feed intake and gains, even though the feed conversion ratio increased with the highest dietary rye level (69%). Digestibility rates of organic matter and crude protein did not differ significantly. Without affecting the characteristics of the feces, numerically higher amounts of intestinal fermentation products and higher colonic digesta mass were observed.

The importance of Fusarium head blight resistance in the cereal breeding industry: Case studies from Germany and Austria

AbstractFusarium head blight (FHB) resistance in wheat and triticale has a high priority in the European Union because of the strict guidelines for the major mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON) and the admission policy of the regulatory authorities. Potentially 70% of the arable land in Germany and about 60% in Austria can be affected by Fusarium. Although epidemics occur only in some years and/or some regions, DON and ZON are detected every year in varying amounts in wheat, rye and maize. Despite a high significance of FHB resistance in breeding companies, as validated by a recent survey, breeding progress in wheat is basically absent for FHB resistance in both countries. The main reasons are the complex inheritance of FHB resistance and the high proportions of the dwarfing allele Rht‐D1b in high‐yielding varieties promoting susceptibility. Despite this, some varieties with high FHB resistance (score 2–3 on the 1–9 scale) have been released that account, however, only for 11% and 18% of the multiplication area in Germany and Austria, respectively. For triticale, an official testing system for FHB resistance in terms of DON content exists in Germany and Austria, but not for the other cereals. Susceptibility to maize ear rot has been described in Austria, but not in Germany. Additionally, a testing system for stalk rot resistance in both countries should be established.

A decision support tool for the first stage of the tempering process of organic wheat grains in a mill

SummaryWheat tempering conditions grains before a milling process begins. Process adjustments must be made to reach a desired level of flour quality and yield, depending on multiple factors. This article aims to develop a decision support tool to help operators adjust the first‐stage tempering parameters. It is based on a regression model that predicts an increase in organic wheat moisture content according to the properties of the wheat (initial wheat moisture content, wheat protein content and wheat temperature), process parameters (targeted wheat moisture content, wheat flow rate, water flow rate, wheat quantity and resting time) and tempering conditions (water quantity, average day temperature and average day humidity). The increase in wheat moisture achieved during the first tempering stage varies between 0% and 5%. Five regression models were compared: OLS, LASSO, RIDGE, ElasticNet and XGBoost. The models have been developed and tested from a case study at an organic wheat mill. The results indicate that the LASSO model outperformed others, with an average prediction error of 0.428%. The model showed the importance of humidity and temperature factors during the tempering process. The flow of water and wheat were the most influential parameters for an increase in wheat moisture content.

Geopolitical risks for Egypt wheat supply and trade

IntroductionSince 2005, Russia has established a stable position in Egypt's wheat imports, and after 2016, it became the largest global wheat exporter. The shift in Russian grain production has visibly affected wheat export destinations in favor of developing countries. This paper identifies the main determinants of wheat trade in Egypt concerning the primary risks associated with the war in Ukraine.MethodsThe paper utilizes time series analysis, index analysis, and an econometric model to define the statistical relationship between the quantity of wheat imported into Egypt and population development, wheat price, and wheat production.ResultsDespite increasing wheat production growth rates (1.9% p.a. over 2000–2020) and a growing population (2.01% p.a.), Egypt is unable to reduce its import dependence below 50% of total consumption. Undernourishment in Egypt remains at 5.2%–5.4% of the population. The econometric model shows that variables describing the evolution of production, population, and prices are statistically significant in relation to wheat imports. Egypt's wheat imports continue to increase even with rising prices, which is typical for developing countries. The war in Ukraine and associated commodity price increases have far-reaching implications for Africa's food security and supply systems.DiscussionEgypt's vulnerability to external influences, such as climate change, migration, rising commodity prices, and population growth, exacerbates the situation. Most African countries, including Egypt, struggle with the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also face rising food and energy prices, conflicts between the world's largest food producers, and increasing poverty rates. The research findings confirm that Egypt is among the highly vulnerable countries due to the war in Ukraine and the disruption of agricultural supply chains.

ESTIMATION OF THE TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF WHEAT FARMS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY IRRIGATION SYSTEM USING THE STOCHASTIC FRONTIER APPROACH (NINEVEH GOVERNORATE- ALBAAJ DISTRICT AS A MODEL)

Wheat production in Iraq under permanent farming systems faced sharp seasonal fluctuations during the previous years resulting from Climate fluctuations that affected the output , and for the rational use of scarce water resources, an effective system to improve irrigation, and the research aimed To estimate the technical efficiency of wheat farms by means of random correlation analysis using the logarithmic production function, based on field data for a random sample of 30 farms in the district of Al-Baaj Nineveh Governorate for the agricultural season 2020-2021. The results of estimating the technical efficiency showed that the research sample achieved a technical efficiency of 94%, which means that a waste of resources was 6%, so it is the responsibility of this sample to produce the same amount of wheat using only 94% or less of the inputs to reach the optimum efficiency. Also, there is a positive relationship between the number of irrigations, the amount of pesticides, the area, and the yield of wheat, while this output is associated with an inverse relationship with agricultural work, the amount of seeds and fertilizers, as an increase in the amount of fertilizers, the quantity of seeds, and agricultural work by 1% leads to a decrease in wheat production by 0.261% and 0 723% and 0.159%, respectively. This may be attributed to the use of these resources at a rate that exceeds the plant’s need for these resources, and this in turn led to waste in resources and thus a decrease in technical efficiency below the optimal level.

Raw or roasted Brosimum alicastrum seed powder as a nutritional ingredient in composite sugar‐snap cookies

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesBrosimum alicastrum seeds have been a common indigenous food source from southern Mexico to Bolivia for centuries. Yet, information on how roasting affects the nutrition of baked goods made from this seed powder is lacking. A study was conducted to determine nutritional properties of raw and roasted B. alicastrum seeds and sugar snap cookies made from composite flour with equal quantities of wheat and B. alicastrum seed.FindingsUsing a 50% composite blend of raw or roasted B. alicastrum seed powder produced cookies with higher moisture, fat, carbohydrate, and ash than cookies made from 100% all‐purpose wheat flour. Roasting seeds increased total carotenoid content of seed powder but reduced levels of five of the nine essential amino acids.ConclusionB. alicastrum seed powder can be used at a 50% level composite blend with wheat to increase fat, carbohydrate, total carotenoids, calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and sodium levels in cookies without compromising fiber, vitamin C, iron, or manganese content.Significance and NoveltyRaw or roasted B. alicastrum seed powder can be used as a composite blend with wheat to enhance or maintain the nutritional composition of baked goods, such as sugar snap cookies.

Estimating the Susceptibility of Four Wheat Cultivars to the Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae).

The quality and quantity of wheat are severely affected by insect infestation during storage. Excessive use of chemical pesticides has resulted in several environmental issues, in addition to the emergence of pesticide-resistant strains. Extensive research has been conducted to determine sustainable alternatives, such as the selection and cultivation of insect-resistant crop varieties. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of susceptibility of four wheat cultivars, namely, Albelad, Aldwasair, Australia, and Najran (NJ), to Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) using four parameters: F1 progeny, length of developmental period, Dobie's index of susceptibility (DI), and percentage weight loss (PWL). Albelad was highly susceptible (DI =17.44) to O. surinamensis, followed by Najran (DI =8.42) and Australia (DI =6.18) (susceptible and moderately susceptible, respectively), whereas Aldwasair was moderately resistant (DI =4.67). Furthermore, there were significant positive correlations between DI and the mean number of F1 progeny (R2 = 0.98) and between DI and grain weight loss (R2 = 0.95). However, a significantly negative correlation (R2 = −0.86) was observed between DI and beetle developmental period. These findings will aid the development of breeding programs to maintain the quality and quantity of wheat grains during storage.

Analysis of Crop Growth Rhythm in Alfalfa - Wheat Intercropping

Logistic equation was used to fit the plant height growth of wheat and alfalfa in different intercropping treatments, and the effects of intercropping on the plant height growth of wheat and alfalfa were analyzed according to the results of fitting curve model parameters. The results showed that the plant height growth of wheat and alfalfa under different intercropping patterns was in line with "S" curve. According to the turning point of the growth curve, the plant height growth can be divided into three stages: gradual growth stage, linear growth stage and slow growth stage. In late March, wheat and alfalfa began to enter linear growth phase, which lasted about one month and one and a half months, respectively. The linear growth of wheat and alfalfa in all treatments accounted for more than 50% of the total growth in growth period. Intercropping alfalfa extended the linear growth period of wheat, but reduced the growth rate and amount of wheat in the linear growth period. While intercropping with wheat shortened the linear growth period of alfalfa, but accelerated its growth rate.

Characterization of Iraqi Domestic Wheat Flour and the Correlation between Chemical and Rheological properties

Iraqi domestic wheat quantity increased dramatically during the last two years, and the Iraqi government is looking for self-sufficiency in wheat production. However, the quality of the wheat flour is more important than the quantity in terms of making the final product. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the quality of Iraqi domestic wheat. Also, the study aimed to conduct the correlation between the chemical and rheological properties of flour samples. The study included 29 flour samples. The results showed that protein content was 10.2 ± 0.4%, gluten content was 19.6 ± 5.0%, gluten index was 73.2 ± 29.8%, and the falling number was 610 ± 89s. Rheological properties were ranged from 1.8 to 9.5min for the stability, 50 to 260BU for the degree of softening (DoS), zero to 78cm2 for the energy, and 4 to 220mm for the extensibility. The highest correlation was between the gluten index and the Farinograph and Extensiograph parameters. Gluten index was highly correlated to DoS (r = -0.87, p < 0.0001), followed by extensibility (r = 0.76, p < 0.0001), stability (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001), and energy (r = 0.66, p < 0.0001). The correlation between other studied chemical properties, protein and gluten content, and most rheological parameters was non-significant. In conclusion, Iraqi domestic wheat quality was varied, from very runny to moderate. The gluten index was a precise parameter can be used to predict wheat quality. Therefore, Iraqi wheat breeders should be strongly considered the wheat quality in their work in addition to the quantity.

Control of Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in bags of wheat using solar radiation

Solar heating disinfestation is a promising technique for low-income farmers in developing countries. Solar disinfestation of Sitophilus oryzae in wheat was investigated using clear and black polyethylene plastic bags and woven bags. Different amounts of wheat (16, 21, and 25 kg) with 12.2% moisture content (wet basis) were tested under two field conditions: 1) wheat bags were kept at the field with no stacking or mixing; 2) wheat bags were mixed at the end of the day and stacked during the night. The experiment was conducted in Canada and Egypt. Degree-minutes and time above 40 °C for each treatment were also calculated. Wheat inside clear polyethylene bags heated up to a temperature range of 40–55 °C, which is considered lethal to many stored-grain insects, including S. oryzae. Mortality of adult S. oryzae was 67.6 ± 30% for clear plastic bags and 4.3 ± 0.8% for woven plastic bags. In general, degree-minutes and time above 40 °C inside 16 kg of wheat bags were significantly higher than bags with 21 or 25 kg of wheat.