Bread Wheat Cultivars Research Articles

Genetic mapping of candidate loci for water‐deficit stress‐induced proline accumulation in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum)

AbstractProline is an important metabolite that plays an adaptive role in plants under water‐deficit stress. Understanding the genetic basis of water‐deficit‐induced proline accumulation remains elusive in crop plants, especially in wheat. Here, we investigated proline accumulation under control and water‐deficit conditions using a diversity panel which comprises of 150 bread wheat cultivars. Water‐deficit stress significantly increased proline accumulation than well‐water treated plants. Water‐deficit‐induced proline variability was dissected using genome‐wide association studies that identified significant marker‐trait associations, especially on 1A and 1B chromosomes. Population structure analysis revealed the cultivars originated from Europe were associated with higher proline content. Further, linkage disequilibrium analysis identified minor allele of haplotypes, and single markers were linked with higher proline accumulation under water‐deficit conditions. The identified candidate genes were mostly involved in ATP and ADP binding, protein and oligopeptide transporter activity and also found in defence response, carbohydrate and fatty acid biosynthetic processes. Next, an in silico transcript analysis found higher expression of candidate genes in shoot/leaves under water‐deficit stress conditions. Overall, the key genomic regions controlling water deficit‐induced proline accumulation can be utilized in improving plant adaptation to drought.

An efficient transformation method for genome editing of elite bread wheat cultivars.

An efficient genetic transformation protocol is necessary to edit genes for trait improvement directly in elite bread wheat cultivars. We used a protein fusion between a wheat growth-regulating factor 4 (GRF4) and its interacting factor (GIF1) to develop a reproducible genetic transformation and regeneration protocol, which we then used to successfully transform elite bread wheat cultivars Baj, Kachu, Morocco, Reedling, RL6077, and Sujata in addition to the experimental cultivar Fielder. Immature embryos were transformed with the vector using particle bombardment method. Transformation frequency increased nearly 60-fold with the GRF4-GIF1-containing vectors as compared to the control vector and ranged from ~5% in the cultivar Kachu to 13% in the cultivar RL6077. We then edited two genes that confer resistance against leaf rust and powdery mildew directly in the aforementioned elite cultivars. A wheat promoter, TaU3 or TaU6, to drive the expression of guide RNA was effective in gene editing whereas the OsU3 promoter failed to generate any edits. Editing efficiency was nearly perfect with the wheat promoters. Our protocol has made it possible to edit genes directly in elite wheat cultivars and would be useful for gene editing in other wheat varieties, which have been recalcitrant to transformation thus far.

The Screening of Black Point in Commercial Bread Wheat Cultivars Grown in Turkey, and The Effect of Black Point on Thousand Grain Weight

The black point is a discoloration that shows up on the embryos of wheat and barley, and it is becoming an important problem in many wheat-growing areas. In this study, 200 commercially important bread wheat varieties that were cultivated between 1931 and 2017 in Turkey were screened in terms of black point, and the effect of black point was observed on thousand grain weight in all cultivars. The trials were conducted in accordance with the augmented block trial design in three environments during the 2016-17 growing season. A high variation was observed among the cultivars for black point and thousand grain weight. Twelve varieties (6% of populations) showed no discoloration (0.00%) in any environment, whereas 44 varieties (22% of population) showed discoloration rate more than 10.00%. The first three most susceptible cultivars showed black point percentages of 38.76, 32.08, and 27.5, respectively. In the remaining cultivars, eighty-eight showed discolorations up to 5.00%, whereas the rest demonstrated discoloration from 5.00% to 24.00%. Interestingly, a positive correlation was observed between black point damage and thousand grain weight (r=0.32). The reasonable interpretation is that the larger seed surfaces may have increased the effect of black point causes, such as pathogens and oxidative reactions. This screening enabled us to determine black point susceptible and tolerant cultivars in well-known bread wheat cultivars growing in Turkey. Hence, the results will be useful for wheat production and wheat breeding approaches in Turkey and around the world.

EVALUATION OF INTERSPECIFIC WHEAT HYBRIDS (T. DURUM × T. AESTIVUM) FOR SPIKE-RELATED TRAITS

The presented study analyzed the inheritance via heterosis of interspecific F1 hybrids between durum and bread wheat over better parents and ratios of dominance for spike-related traits affecting their productivity and transmission to future segregating populations. The research transpired in the crop seasons of 2017–-2019 at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, Azerbaijan. The hybridization program used eight durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf) genotypes, i.e., Shark, Karabagh, Barakatli-95, Tartar, Garagilciıg-2, Vugar, Mirbashir- 50, and Shiraslan-23, and 13 bread wheat (T. aestivum L.) cultivars, viz., Mirbashir-128, Kyrmyzygul-1, Gobustan, Layaqatli, Kyzyl Bughda, Gunashli, Taleh-38, Sheki-1, Murov, Nurlu-99, Aran, and two foreign cultivars Bezostaya-1 (Russia) and Dagdash (Turkey) to generate 24 interspecific F1 hybrids. Studying the heterosis over better parents and degree of dominance in these interspecific F1 hybrids compared their performance with parental genotypes for spike-related traits, i.e., spike length, spikelets per spike, grains per spike, and grain weight per spike. In the F1 interspecific hybrids’ evaluation, the recorded desirable positive heterosis over better parents and dominance ratios appeared in cross combinations, i.e., Barakatli-95 × Gobustan, Karabagh × Mirbashir-128, Karabagh × Shark, Sheki-1 × Gobustan, Murov × Daghdash, Nurlu-99 × Layaqatli, Gobustan × Sheki-1, and Mirbashir-50 × Shiraslan-23 for spike-related traits. However, the F1 hybrid Garabagh × Gobustan revealed negative heterosis and depression for yield-related traits.

Registration of ‘Runde’ spring bread wheat cultivar

Abstract‘Runde’ (Reg. no. CV‐1201, PI 702366; S02147‐7H‐0N‐2H‐0N) soft white spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar was developed by Crop Breeding Institute and released in December 2016 through the National Variety Release Committee. Runde was selected from a cross between S98066‐7H‐0G‐1H‐0N and F99012 made in 2002 at Harare Research Station. S98066‐7H‐0G‐1H‐0N is an experimental line made from a cross between F97009 (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center [CIMMYT] line) and SC91155‐4H‐0G‐0H‐0G‐6G‐0N (Crop Breeding Institute line). F99012 is an experimental line developed by CIMMYT. Runde (S02147‐7H‐0N‐2H‐0N) is a product of a 2002 cross made in Zimbabwe as cross no. 147, using the pedigree method. Runde is an early maturing, rust tolerant, and high yielding cultivar. It is generally large‐seeded (49 g/1000 grains). The genotype was among the best performing cultivars with tolerance to rusts due to the presence of leaf rust and stem rust resistance genes, Lr34, Sr2, and Lr68. It has high flour extraction potential, good dough mixing characteristics, and high flour concentration.

Indices of antioxidant and osmoprotective systems in seedlings of winter wheat cultivars with different frost resistance

The functioning of the stress-protective systems of wheat under the action of cold at the early stages of plant development remains poorly studied. The aim of this work was a comparative study of antioxidant activity and the content of sugars and proline as indicators of osmoprotective activity during cold adaptation of seedlings of seven winter bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars that differ significantly in frost resistance. The 3-day-old etiolated seedlings were hardened at 2°C for 6 days and then frozen for 5 h at -6 or -9°C. Two days after freezing, the survival of seedlings was assessed by their ability to grow. A decrease in ROS content, an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase and guaiacol peroxidase and accumulation of sugars in the shoots of high-frost-resistant cultivars during hardening were detected. The absolute values of catalase and guaiacol peroxidase activity correlated positively with the frost resistance of seedlings. The negative correlation between the frost tolerance of the cultivars and the accumulation of proline in the seedlings during hardening was recorded. The possibility of using the studied biochemical indices for frost resistance screening of winter wheat varieties at the seedling stage was stated. Keywords: antioxidant system, cold hardening, frost resistance, osmolytes, oxidative stress, Triticum aestivum

Zn Fertilizer and Mycorrhizal Inoculation Effect on Bread Wheat Cultivar Grown under Water Deficit.

During drought stress, many enzymes are inactivated in plants due to Zn deficiency. Zn application and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF)-wheat symbiosis reportedly improve the tolerance of plants to drought stress. This study was done to investigate the effect of Zn and AMF on plant growth, yield attributes, relative water content (RWC), harvest index (HI), photosynthetic activity, solute accumulation, glycine betaine (GB) accumulation, antioxidant activities [(catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], and ionic attributes in a bread wheat cultivar (SST806) under drought-stress in plants grown under greenhouse conditions. Zn application and AMF inoculation, separately and combined, enhanced all plant growth parameters and yield. Root dry weight (RDW) was increased by 25, 30, and 46% for these three treatments, respectively, under drought conditions compared to the control treatment. Overall, Zn application, AMF inoculation, and their combination increased protein content, RWC, and harvest index (HI) under drought stress. However, AMF inoculation improved proline content more than Zn application under the same conditions. Regarding GB accumulation, AMF, Zn, and the combination of Zn and AMF increased GB under drought compared to well-watered conditions by 31.71, 10.36, and 70.70%, respectively. For the antioxidant defense, AMF inoculation and Zn application improved SOD and CAT activity by 58 and 56%, respectively. This study showed that Zn and/or AMF increased antioxidant levels and ionic attributes under abiotic stress.

Effective sources of powdery mildew resistance among spring bread wheat for the northwest of the russian federation

Background. Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the world’s main food crops. In Russia, its gross harvest in recent years has reached 21.079 million tons. Blumeria graminis is one of the most harmful diseases of bread wheat. Annual harvest losses can reach 10–30%. In Leningrad Province, powdery mildew appears almost every year on cereals. Development of cultivars resistant to powdery mildew is the most important trend in spring bread wheat breeding. Its progress is determined by new sources of effective resistance genes and their incorporation into promising spring bread wheat cultivars. The purpose of this work was to retest the seedling and adult resistance to powdery mildew in spring bread wheat accessions selected over a period of more than twenty years and redefine the effectiveness of disease resistance sources at the present time.Materials and methods. Since 2000, VIR has conducted a search for powdery mildew resistance among 1283 spring bread wheat accessions. The identified 36 sources of adult and seedling powdery mildew resistance were reevaluated in 2022. Field and laboratory studies into the resistance to the pathogen were performed according to VIR’s guidelines.Results and discussion. In 2022, field and laboratory studies of spring bread wheat cultivars revealed accessions with resistance to the pathogen in all phases of plant development. Six sources remained resistant to powdery mildew for 13–22 years, another six showed resistance for 7–12 years, and 8 cultivars were immune for 6 years. Resistance of 9 accessions identified for this trait in 2020 was confirmed.Conclusion. Field and laboratory research into the resistance of spring bread wheat accessions to the pathogen identified sources retaining seedling and adult resistance to the Leningrad population of powdery mildew for 7 years or more. These accessions are recommended for use in wheat breeding programs.

Mineral composition of bread wheat lines with introgressions of alien genetic material

Background. Modern bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars developed mainly to increase productivity often contain low concentrations of minerals in their grain. Wild and primitive wheats demonstrate rich genetic diversity, including the content of minerals in the grain, and can be used to improve the wheat gene pool for this trait. The aim of this work was to study the mineral composition in the grain of bread wheat lines with introgressions of the genetic material from Triticum L. spp.Materials and methods. We studied parental spring bread wheat cultivars, accessions of tetraploid and hexaploid Triticum spp., and 20 introgressive lines obtained on their basis in 2018 and 2020. Concentrations of macro- (K, P, Ca, and Mg) and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn) were measured using atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma, and total protein content in wheat grain according to GOST 10846-91. The data were processed using the Statistica 10.0 and MS Excel software packages.Results and conclusion. The content of minerals in the grain of Triticum spp. was higher than in T. aestivum cultivars (the twoyear average difference was 1,02 to 2,13-fold, depending on the studied mineral). Most of the lines with alien genetic material exceeded their parent bread wheat cultivars in Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn content and came close to them in the levels of N, P, Mg and K. ANOVA established a statistically significant impact of the genotype, environment, and genotype × environment interaction on the variation of the grain macro- and micronutrient content. Lines with a consistently high concentration of grain minerals and high productivity were identified. These lines are of interest for wheat breeding for grain quality.

Breeding improvement of spring Indian dwarf wheat <i>Triticum sphaerococcum</i> Percival under the conditions of the Middle Volga region

Background. Indian dwarf wheat (Triticum sphaerococcum Percival) has positive traits: round grain shape, excellent flour and grain quality, and a short stem, but it is difficult to develop cultivars of this species due to low productivity. The main problem in the improvement of T. sphaerococcum is the pleiotropic effect of grain roundness and ear compactness caused by the S-D1 and C2 genes. These genes are inherited together with negative features peculiar to this species: small grain, and low ear productivity. This paper presents the results of breeding improvement of Indian dwarf wheat from the VIR collection.Materials and methods. The research materials were five T. sphaerococcum accessions from the VIR collection, promising lines of Indian dwarf wheat released by the Tatar Research Institute of Agriculture, and regional reference cultivars. Conventional methods of spring bread wheat breeding were applied. Evaluation of main diseases was based on VIR’s methodological guidelines. Baking qualities were assessed using generally accepted methods and standards adopted in Russia.Results. The work resulted in producing competitive lines of T. sphaerococcum which surpassed the original accessions in yield and resistance to main fungal diseases, but their grain yield was lower than that of the reference bread wheat cultivar ‘Yoldyz’. High flour and grain quality levels of Indian dwarf wheat were confirmed. A patent was obtained for the Indian dwarf wheat cultivar ‘Sakara’.

Genome-wide association study of alkylresorcinols content in 161 wheat cultivars

Alkylresorcinols (ARs), a group of phenolic lipids exclusively found in wheat, rye and barley among daily foods, are considered to be biomarkers for whole wheat grain intake. Recent studies have gradually revealed their functions and benefits for human health. However, the natural variation of ARs contents (ARC) in bread wheat cultivars in China has not been revealed. This study assayed grain ARC in a panel of 161 wheat cultivars grown in five environments in China and reports significant genotypic and environmental variation. Grain ARC ranged from 321 to 972 μg/g. Cultivars such as Yumai 18 and Yumai 2 had high ARC and thousand kernel weight (TKW) and can be utilized for production of ARs-fortified foods and as parents for breeding. Genome-wide association analysis with high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays identified 24 and 32 stable loci associated with total ARC and thousand kernel ARC (TKAC), respectively. Loci on chromosome arms 3BL and 7BL, were significant for both ARC and TKAC. This study firstly revealed the extensive variation and genetic architecture of ARC in Chinese bread wheat, providing a theoretical basis for future high-ARC genetic improvement.

Response of some bread wheat cultivars to nitrogen fertilizer rates under different sowing methods

Response of some bread wheat cultivars to nitrogen fertilizer rates under different sowing methods

Characterizing Agronomic and Shoot Morphological Diversity across 263 Wild Emmer Wheat Accessions

Wild emmer, the direct progenitor of modern durum and bread wheat, has mostly been studied for grain quality, biotic, and abiotic stress-related traits. Accordingly, it should also have a certain amount of diversity for morphological and agronomic traits. Despite having a high chance of huge diversity, it has not been deeply explored. In the current study, 263 wild emmer accessions collected from different regions of Israel, Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria were characterized for a total of 19 agronomic and shoot morphological traits. Three trials were carried out in Western Australia, which demonstrated a large variation in these traits. The average phenotypic diversity (H’) was 0.91 as quantified by Shannon’s diversity index. A high heritability was recorded for most of the traits, where biomass/plant and yield/plant were identified as the most potential traits. Correlation analysis revealed several significant associations between traits, including significant positive correlation between yield and tiller number, first leaf area, spike length, and biomass/plant. The principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated that most of the traits contributed to the overall observed variability. The cluster analysis categorized 263 accessions into five clusters on average. On the other hand, accessions were categorized into eight populations based on the collection region and a comparative analysis demonstrated considerable variations between populations for plant height, spike length, and flag leaf area. Despite the low yield, several wild emmer accessions demonstrated superior performance compared to modern bread wheat cultivars, when selection was based on combining yield with multiple traits. These observations indicate that wild emmer contains a broad gene pool for several agronomic and shoot morphological traits, which can be utilized for bread and durum wheat improvement.

Exploring Variability of Free Asparagine Content in the Grain of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties Cultivated in Italy to Reduce Acrylamide-Forming Potential.

Acrylamide, a suspected human carcinogen, is generated during food processing at high temperatures in the Maillard reaction, which involves reducing sugars and free asparagine. In wheat derivatives, free asparagine represents a key factor in acrylamide formation. Free asparagine levels in the grain of different wheat genotypes has been investigated in recent studies, but little is known about elite varieties that are cultivated in Italy. Here, we analysed the accumulation of free asparagine in a total of 54 bread wheat cultivars that are relevant for the Italian market. Six field trials in three Italian locations over two years were considered. Wholemeal flours obtained from harvested seeds were analysed using an enzymatic method. Free asparagine content ranged from 0.99 to 2.82 mmol/kg dry matter in the first year, and from 0.55 to 2.84 mmol/kg dry matter in the second year. Considering the 18 genotypes that were present in all the field trials, we evaluated possible environment and genetic influences for this trait. Some cultivars seemed to be highly affected by environment, whereas others showed a relative stability in free asparagine content across years and locations. Finally, we identified two varieties showing the highest free asparagine levels in our analysis, representing potential useful materials for genotype x environment interaction studies. Two other varieties, which were characterized by low amounts of free asparagine in the considered samples, may be useful for the food industry and for future breeding programs aimed to reduce acrylamide-forming potential in bread wheat.

Evaluation of Resistance to Stem Rust and Identification of Sr Genes in Russian Spring and Winter Wheat Cultivars in the Volga Region

The Volga region is one of the main grain-producing regions of Russia. Wheat stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici is among the most destructive fungal diseases of wheat. Recently, its harmfulness has increased in the Volga region. In this regard, an analysis of the resistance and diversity of the Sr genes in the Russian wheat cultivars is necessary. In this work, 126 wheat cultivars (including 23 durum wheat cultivars and 103 bread wheat cultivars) approved for use in the Volga region were evaluated for their resistance to two samples of P. graminis f. sp. tritici populations from different Volga region areas at the seedling stage. Specific DNA primers were used to identify resistance genes (Sr2, Sr24, Sr25, Sr26, Sr28, Sr31, Sr32, Sr36, Sr38, Sr39, and Sr57). Highly resistant cultivars (30 from 126) were identified. In bread wheat cultivars, the genes Sr31 (in 19 cultivars), Sr24 (in one cultivar), Sr25 (in 15 spring wheat cultivars), Sr28 (in six cultivars), Sr38 (in two cultivars), and Sr57 (in 15 cultivars) and their combinations—Sr31 + Sr25, Sr31 + Sr38, Sr31 + Sr28, Sr31 + Sr57, Sr31 + Sr28 + Sr57, and Sr31 + Sr24—were identified. The obtained results may be used to develop strategies for breeding rust-resistant cultivars.

Permanent Spreading of 1RS.1AL and 1RS.1BL Translocations in Modern Wheat Breeding.

Wheat-rye translocations 1RS.1BL and 1RS.1AL are used in bread wheat breeding worldwide because a short arm of rye chromosome 1 (1RS) when introgressed into the wheat genome confers resistance to diseases, pests and better performance under drought-stress conditions. However, in durum wheat genotypes, these translocations occur only in experimental lines, although their advantages could enhance the potential of this crop. P.P. Lukyanenko National Grain Centre (NGC) has successfully developed commercially competitive cultivars of bread and durum wheat demanded by many agricultural producers in the South of Russia for decades. Here, 94 accessions of bread and 343 accessions of durum wheat, representing lines and cultivars from collection, competitive variety trials and breeding nursery developed at NGC were screened for 1RS using PCR markers and genomic in situ hybridization. The 1RS.1BL and 1RS.1AL translocations were detected in 38 and 6 bread wheat accessions, respectively. None of the durum wheat accessions showed translocation, despite the fact that some of them had 1RS.1BL donors in their pedigree. The absence of translocations in the studied durum wheat germplasm can be caused by the negative selection of 1RS carriers at different stages of the breeding process due to low quality and difficulties in transferring rye chromatin through wheat gametes.

Crop Nitrogen Fertilization Schedule in Bread Wheat Affects the Mechanical Performances of Thermoplastic Films Obtained by Plasticization of Flours

Recent research has investigated the plasticization of wheat flour as a non-food alternative application. In this work, we analyzed the performances of thermoplastic films obtained using flours of two bread wheat cultivars (Bologna and Bora) grown in fall–spring under four nitrogen (N) fertilization treatments: (1) continuously well-N-fed (N300 = 300 kg N ha−1, split throughout the growth cycle); (2) N-fed only very early (N60-0 = 60 kg N ha−1, just one month after sowing); (3) N-fed only extremely late (N0-120 = 120 kg N ha−1 at pollination); (4) unfertilized control (N0). Flours were characterized for glutenin and gliadin fractions, Chopin’s alveograph parameters, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) images, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), while films were evaluated for mechanical properties (tensile strength at break, σb; elongation at break, εb; Young’s modulus, E) and FESEM images. Differences among treatments for absolute and relative abundances of gluten fractions and alveographic parameters were extremely marked and gave rise to differences in tensile properties of thermoplastic films. Within each cultivar, the ranking of treatments for εb values was N0 > N60-0 > N0-120 > N300. Thus, εb was inversely correlated with crop N availability and total gluten content of the flour. The σb was less variable among N treatments; however, in both cultivars, it was high in N0 and N300 and appreciably lower in N0-120. Overall, the best mechanical performances were obtained with flours from crops not subjected to imbalances in N nutrition (N0, N300). Our work demonstrates that bioplastic engineering needs to take into consideration the variability of biological source material like that caused by different crop N availability.

Exploring genomic regions involved in bread wheat resistance to leaf rust at seedling/adult stages by using GWAS analysis

BackgroundGlobal wheat productivity is seriously challenged by a range of rust pathogens, especially leaf rust derived from Puccinia triticina. Since the most efficient approach to control leaf rust is genetic resistance, many efforts have been made to uncover resistance genes; however, it demands an ongoing exploration for effective resistance sources because of the advent of novel virulent races. Thus, the current study was focused on detecting leaf rust resistance-related genomic loci against the P. triticina prevalent races by GWAS in a set of Iranian cultivars and landraces.ResultsEvaluation of 320 Iranian bread wheat cultivars and landraces against four prevalent rust pathotypes of P. triticina (LR-99–2, LR-98–12, LR-98–22, and LR-97–12) indicated the diversity in wheat accessions responses to P. triticina. From GWAS results, 80 leaf rust resistance QTLs were located in the surrounding known QTLs/genes on almost chromosomes, except for 1D, 3D, 4D, and 7D. Of these, six MTAs (rs20781/rs20782 associated with resistance to LR-97–12; rs49543/rs52026 for LR-98–22; rs44885/rs44886 for LR-98–22/LR-98–1/LR-99–2) were found on genomic regions where no resistance genes previously reported, suggesting new loci conferring resistance to leaf rust. The GBLUP genomic prediction model appeared better than RR-BLUP and BRR, reflecting that GBLUP is a potent model for genomic selection in wheat accessions.ConclusionsOverall, the newly identified MTAs as well as the highly resistant accessions in the recent work provide an opportunity towards improving leaf rust resistance.

Comparative Compositions of Grain of Bread Wheat, Emmer and Spelt Grown with Different Levels of Nitrogen Fertilisation.

Five cultivars of bread wheat and spelt and three of emmer were grown in replicate randomised field trials on two sites for two years with 100 and 200 kg nitrogen fertiliser per hectare, reflecting low input and intensive farming systems. Wholemeal flours were analysed for components that are suggested to contribute to a healthy diet. The ranges of all components overlapped between the three cereal types, reflecting the effects of both genotype and environment. Nevertheless, statistically significant differences in the contents of some components were observed. Notably, emmer and spelt had higher contents of protein, iron, zinc, magnesium, choline and glycine betaine, but also of asparagine (the precursor of acrylamide) and raffinose. By contrast, bread wheat had higher contents of the two major types of fibre, arabinoxylan (AX) and β-glucan, than emmer and a higher AX content than spelt. Although such differences in composition may be suggested to result in effects on metabolic parameters and health when studied in isolation, the final effects will depend on the quantity consumed and the composition of the overall diet.

Varietal resistance of Algerian bread wheat against Fusarium culmorum, the main agent of crown rot on wheat

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) is one of the serious wheat diseases. FC11 is one strain among 34 isolates obtained in a previous study, and identified as Fusarium culmorum strain highly pathogenic. FC11 was assigned the accession number MW151664 by NCBI GenBank. Two resistance/sensitivity tests were conducted on 9 cultivars (cv) of bread wheat. The In vitro test in the oven with the parameters; percentage of germination inhibition (%GI), to determine the tolerance of seedlings germination, and the Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) to test the tolerance to the initial infection of germinated coleoptiles. In in-vivo test in the growth chamber, the disease severity (DS) parameter used to test the cultivars ability to tolerate FCR induced by F. culmorum. The results showed that all cultivars were susceptible to FC11 with a significant decrease in germination and coleoptile emergence rate with GI% and AUDPC values reached up to 68.35, and 68.98% for cv. Boumerzoug and Hidhab, respectively. The cv. Bordj Mehis and Ain Abid showed significant susceptibility to F. culmorum, where length of the vegetative system and fresh weight (RCL% and RCW%) were negatively affected up to 28.66 and 56.66%, respectively. In this work, the cv. Akhamokh showed an interesting level of FCR tolerance among other cultivars tested.