Bread Wheat Grain Research Articles

Graphical Analysis of Multi-environmental Trials for Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grain Yield Based on GGE Bi-Plot Analysis

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a crucial crop in Ethiopia, and breeders test newly developed elite lines for superiority to existing cultivars to boost national productivity. The study was undertaken during the 2021–22 to 2022–23 cropping seasons at seven environments in optimum moisture areas of Ethiopian using 36 diverse and advanced bread wheat genotypes to evaluate the GEI by the graphical method of GGE biplot and to identify the genotypes with high mean yield performance and stability. Field experiments were conducted at the Adet, Asasa, Kulumsa, and Sinana research centers in Ethiopia. The experiments were planted in an alpha lattice design replicated three times in six rows of 2.5m long. Row-to-row distance and distance between blocks were 0.2m and 1.5m, respectively. The analysis of variance revealed that genotype, environment, and their interaction showed a highly significant effect on the yield as reflected in the GGE model and the GGE model indicated the suitability of the genotypes EBW202136 (33), Boru (1), and EBW202172 (12), with high mean yield and stability, whereas the genotypes EBW202185 (16) and Deka (36) produced high mean yield, but unstable. Likewise, the genotypes EBW202164 (27) and EBW202192 (29) produced low mean yield and unstable. The AMMI analysis of variance for grain yield across the environments showed that 17.26% of the total variation was attributed to genotypic effects, 64.03% to environmental effects, and 18.71% to GEI effects. Two mega environments were identified based on GGE biplot analysis and the which-won–model indicated the adaptation of genotypes Boru (1), EBW202159 (4), EBW202172 (12), EBW202171 (19), and EBW202136 (33) to first mega-environment and genotypes EBW202157 (3), EBW202166 (5), EBW202160 (6), EBW202162 (9), EBW202185 (16), Dursa (17) and Deka (36) in the second. These approaches allowed the identification of stable and high-yielding genotypes (EBW202136 (33) and EBW202172 (12)) which can be included in the national verification program, with a plan to release a new variety, and other genotypes with high yield could be utilized in breeding programs to further improve grain yield in bread wheat.

Developing Early-Estimating Normalized Difference Vegetation Index Calibrations for Grain Yield and Technological Quality of Bread Wheat in Semi-arid Rainfed Conditions

In this study, the usability of in-season estimated yield (INSEY) and optical-read sensor Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) at the Zadoks30 stage (Z 30) in rainfed conditions for predicting bread wheat grain yield and technological quality was evaluated. Data from nitrogen fertilizer application field trials conducted in eight consecutive years in 14 environments were used to develop regression equations to predict yield and some quality attributes in rainfed conditions. The trials were divided into two groups, low NDVI (LNE) and high NDVI (HNE), according to the magnitude of NDVI. Technological bread quality parameters and yield were higher in the HNE. The increase in grain protein content (GPC) and macro SDS (MSDS) sedimentation against nitrogen rates became significant beyond 60 kg N ha-1 in the LNE and 30 kg N ha-1 in the HNE. Linear relationships occurred between NDVI and observed values of grain yield (R2 = 0.743, p<0.001) and GPC (R2 = 0.963, p<0.001). The use of NDVI and INSEY values at Z 30 stage facilitated the development of equations capable of predicting grain yield, GPC, and gluten quality. The developed equations can be used in the nitrogen fertilization strategy during the tillering stage to achieve specific yield and protein.

Biotehnološki procesi kot sredstvo za povečanje dostopnosti in antioksidativne aktivnosti fenolnih spojin iz zrn krušne pšenice in pire

Cereal grains, especially bran, are a rich source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. The potential positive effects of phenolics from whole grains of spelt and bread wheat on human health are limited by the poor bioaccessibility and bioavailability of their bound phenolics. Studies have shown that biotechnological processes (germination/fermentation/enzymatic treatment) are an effective strategy for improving the release of bound phenolics from the cell wall matrix of cereal grains. In this review article, the effects of biotechnological processes on the composition, antioxidant activity and bioaccessibility of phenolics from spelt and bread wheat grains are discussed in detail. Existing research indicates the presence of a different phenolics in spelt and bread wheat grains, making whole grains excellent for improving nutritional value of products. It has been shown that biotechnological processes can effectively increase the content of bioaccessible and bioavailable phenolics in cereal grains, which enables improved in vitro antioxidant activity. Currently, there is a lack of in vivo studies to confirm the findings obtained in vitro, so in vivo studies to determine the biological activity of phenolic compounds from pre-treated grains will be crucial in the future.

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fungal and mycotoxin contamination control enhanced by a dual-frequency cold plasma

In this study a dual-frequency plasma generated at 1 Pa in synthetic air was investigated for the inactivation of fungal contaminants and the reduction of mycotoxin content in bread wheat grains. This coupled device increased the rates of emitted species (RONS and UV) and provided a relative control of charged particles flux-energy balance (ne ≃ 1016 m−3 − ɛi ≃ 8 eV). This plasma-based decontamination process allowed 1.5 log of reduction onto wheat grains exposed 90 min to plasma and a degradation of more than 90 % for the deoxynivalenol mycotoxin content of a glass carrier after 5 min plasma exposure.

Fast and non- destructive multivariate test method to predict bread wheat grain major quality parameters

ABSTRACT For decades researches have been conducted in Ethiopia to improve wheat productivity and quality. This involved extensive selection of breeding lines based on agronomic and laboratory data from numerous trials. However, generating laboratory data for all these services was both time-consuming and expensive. Hence, the study aimed to develop a very rapid and cost-effective testing method for wheat genotypes and varieties using near-infrared spectroscopy. For this purpose, we collected 155 bread wheat samples from high-growing potential areas of Sinana, Kulumsa, and Holeta. The wet chemistry analysis was done in duplicate following the international standard official methods. The same samples were also scanned using TANGO’S Bruker NIRS machine in duplicate to acquire spectral data. A calibration model was then developed by fitting the reference and spectral data using the partial least square (PLS). The calibration models exhibited a high level of strength for all parameters. The performance of the calibration model for protein (R2 = 0.99; RPD = 9.63), moisture (R2 = 0.96; RPD = 5.29), ash (R2 = 0.98; RPD = 6.39), total gluten (R2 = 0.98; RPD = 8.09), dry gluten (R2 = 0.97; RPD = 5.57), gluten index (R2 = 0.96; RPD = 5.23), and falling number (R2 = 0.97 and RPD = 6.23) were deemed suitable for wheat process and quality control purposes. But the models for moisture and gluten index (R2 = 0.96) were found to be suitable for screening and simple quality control purposes only. Therefore, this study clearly demonstrated that the near-infrared spectroscopy model is a highly reliable and robust method for predicting the key quality traits of bread wheat grains, serving the needs of both breeding programs and industry raw material control.

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT AND GRAIN YIELD OF BREAD WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

The paper presents the study of bread wheat's chlorophyll content and grain yield traits under changing environmental conditions — optimal water supply and simulated water-deficit conditions. Selecting 15 wheat cultivars from different regions (Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and CIMMYT) based on economically valuable characteristics became the specimens for the presented study that evaluated the SPAD indicators in correlation with the grain yield in bread wheat and determined the vital role of genotypes, environments, and genotype by environment interaction effects. The relationship between chlorophyll content and yield parameters under different growing conditions was also well-defined. The results revealed that ecosystems had more influence on the chlorophyll content than the wheat genotypes. Several wheat cultivars with soil moisture tolerance have gained identification, along with the correlation coefficient between chlorophyll content and grain yield under varied environmental conditions of water supply. The study validated the role of genotypes and environments in the manifestation of responses to stress conditions.

Differentiation of Triticum aestivum L. genotypes according to combination of yield and flour quality indicators

Purpose. Hence, the purpose of this study was to identify winter bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars and breeding lines giving high yields, with improved flour quality and with combination of these features.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. The study was conducted at the V.M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat (MIW) of NAAS of Ukraine in 2019/20–2021/22. Ten new winter bread wheat cultivars and four promising breeding lines were evaluated. Winter wheat was grown in accordance with routine techniques in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The yields were harvested and recorded in accordance with methods of qualification examination of plant varieties for suitability for dissemination in Ukraine. Winter bread wheat grain quality parameters were determined by conventional methods at the Grain Quality Laboratory MIW.&#x0D; Results and Discussion. There was a significant variability of yield and flour quality parameters depending on the conditions of the study years. On average across the winter bread wheat cultivars and breeding lines, the highest contents of protein (14.7%) and wet gluten content (31.9%) were recorded in 2019/20, but the lowest yield (3.40 t/ha) was harvested that year. In 2020/21, on the contrary, the yield was higher (6.46 t/ha), while the sedimentation value (59 mL), protein content (11.9%), and wet gluten content (27.4%) were lower. Cv. ‘MIP Aelita’, ‘MIP Vidznaka’ and breeding line ‘Lutescens 37548’ yielded significantly more than the check cultivar (‘Podolianka’; 5.05 t/ha; LSD05 = 0.33 t/ha). We singled out genotypes that on average in 2019/20–2021/22 were significantly superior to the check cultivar (‘Podolianka’) in term of protein content (‘MIP Nika’, ‘MIP Vidznaka’, ‘MIP Dovira’, ‘Lutescens 37548’, ‘Lutescens 60049’, and ‘Lutescens 60400’), sedimentation value (‘MIP Feieriia’, ‘Lutescens 37548’, ‘Lutescens 60049’, and ‘Lutescens 60302’) and wet gluten content (‘Lutescens 375480’). It should be noted that breeding line ‘Lutescens 37548’ significantly outperformed the check cultivar in all measured flour quality parameters. Based on combinations of high yield with several parameters of flour quality, cv. ‘MIP Aelita’ and ‘MIP Vidznaka’ and breeding lines ‘Lutescens 37548’, ‘Lutescens 60049’, and ‘Lutescens 60302’ were distinguished.&#x0D; Conclusions. The selected winter bread wheat cultivars and breeding lines can be used in breeding to create starting materials as sources of improved corresponding parameters of flour quality, a set of the investigated characteristics of flour quality and of combinations of high yield and good parameters of flour quality.

Study of correlations between yield and grain quality indicators of varieties and breeding lines of Triticum aestivum L.

Purpose. To determine the correlations between yield and grain quality indicators of varieties and breeding lines of winter bread wheat. Methods. The study was conducted under the conditions of the V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat NAAS of Ukraine (MIW) during 2019/20–2021/22. Ten new varieties and four breeding lines of winter bread wheat of Myronivka breeding were evaluated. Grain quality indicators were determined in the grain quality laboratory of MIW according to conventional techniques. Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to establish correlations. Results. Correlations with different direction and strength were found between yield and quality indicators of winter bread wheat grain (–0.32 &lt; r &lt; 0.61). During the research years, reliable direct correlation coefficients were obtained between yield and the 1000 kernel weight indicator (r = 0.17–0.46). Also, a reliable linear dependence (r = 0.13–0.61) of yield with water absorption capacity of flour, test weight, grain vitreous, with protein and wet gluten content, but only under certain hydrothermal growing conditions. The varieties and breeding lines of winter bread wheat were identified which, during the years of research, showed stable direct correlations between yield and the indicators of 1000 kernel weight, grain vitreous, protein content, wet gluten content, sedimentation value, dough elasticity index, deformation energy, dough tenacity, water absorption capacity of flour. Conclusion. The selected varieties and breeding lines of winter bread wheat can be used in the breeding process as sources for combining high yield with certain improved quality indicators in one genotype to create competitive varieties.

Incidence of four genera of fungi in organic and low-input farming conditions in/on the grain of bread wheat over a 13-year period in France

Incidence of four genera of fungi in organic and low-input farming conditions in/on the grain of bread wheat over a 13-year period in France

Prediction of Grain Yield and Gluten Content in Winter Bread Wheat Based on Nutrient Content in Plant Parts during the Critical Cereal Window

Reliable prediction of winter bread wheat grain yield (GY) and its qualitative parameters (crude protein (CP) and wet gluten (GL) content, wet gluten yield (GLY)) requires evaluation of the plant nutritional status in the Critical Cereal Window (CCW). The reliability of the forecast depends on the dedicated plant characteristics and the correct selection of the diagnostic plant parts. This hypothesis was verified in a one-factor field experiment carried out in the 2013/2014, 2014/2015, and 2015/2016 growing seasons. The field experiment included applying 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, and 240 kg N ha−1. The N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu content in wheat was determined in two growth stages: (i) beginning of booting (BBCH 40) and (ii) full flowering (BBCH 65). The evaluated plant components included the leaves and stem for BBCH 40 and the flag leaf, leaves, stem, and ear of BBCH 65. Grain yields were very high, significantly responding to the increased rates of fertilizer nitrogen (Nf), with a maximum yield of 11.3 t ha−1 achieved in 2014 (N rate of 209 kg N ha−1), 13.7 t ha−1 in 2015, and 8.6 t ha−1 in 2016 (N rate of 240 kg N ha−1). The CP and GL content also increased linearly in accordance with the Nf rates. At the beginning of the booting stage, the GY forecast based on the content of nutrients in the leaves or the stem was 94%. Meanwhile, a slightly higher yield prediction was obtained for leaves during the full flowering stage (95%). The key nutrients comprised K, Ca, and Mn, accounting for 93% of the GY variability. The accuracy of the GL prognosis at BBCH 40, regardless of the plant part, exceeded 99%. Three nutrients, namely, P, Mg, and Zn, explained 98% of the GL variability, and the GLY forecast was high (97%). Both wheat traits depended on Zn, which buffered the action of N and Mg. At the full flowering stage, the highest, yet slightly weaker, predictions of GL and GLY were obtained for leaves (95% and 92%, respectively). At this stage of winter wheat growth, the significant role of Zn and K and the buffering effect of Cu on the action of both nutrients was apparent. The obtained results unequivocally confirm that the game for winter wheat grain yield occurs within the Critical Cereal Window. In addition, the end result depends on the plant’s N supply during this period and the nutritional status of other nutrients. Application of 40–80 kg N ha−1 fertilizer critically impacted the GY and technological quality. Moreover, micronutrients, including Zn and Cu, influence the GY, GL, and GLY considerably. At the beginning of the booting phase (BBCH 40), winter wheat leaves serve as a highly reliable plant component indicator for evaluating nutrient content and quantitative (GY, GLY) and qualitative (GL) characteristics of grain. Moreover, analysis conducted during BBCH 40 allows the farmer to correct the nutritional status of the wheat, taking into account N and other nutrients as necessary.

Selected adjuvants increase the efficacy of foliar biofortification of iodine in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain.

Agronomic biofortification of crops is a promising approach that can improve the nutritional value of staple foods by alleviating dietary micronutrient deficiencies. Iodine deficiency is prevalent in many countries, including Australia, but it is not clear what foliar application strategies will be effective for iodine fortification of grain. This study hypothesised that combining adjuvants with iodine in foliar sprays would improve iodine penetration in wheat, leading to more efficient biofortification of grains. The glasshouse experiment included a total of nine treatments, including three reference controls: 1) Water; 2) potassium iodate (KIO3) and 3) potassium chloride (KCl); and a series of six different non-ionic surfactant or oil-based adjuvants: 4) KIO3 + BS1000; 5) KIO3 + Pulse® Penetrant; 6) KIO3 + Uptake®; 7) KIO3 + Hot-Up®; 8) KIO3 + Hasten® and 9) KIO3 + Synerterol® Horti Oil. Wheat was treated at heading, and again during the early milk growth stage. Adding the organosilicon-based adjuvant (Pulse®) to the spray formulation resulted in a significant increase in grain loading of iodine to 1269 µg/kg compared to the non-adjuvant KIO3 control at 231µg/kg, and the water and KCl controls (both 51µg/kg). The second most effective adjuvant was Synerterol® Horti Oil, which increased grain iodine significantly to 450µg/kg. The Uptake®, BS1000, Hasten®, and Hot-Up® adjuvants did not affect grain iodine concentrations relative to the KIO3 control. Importantly, iodine application and the subsequent increase in grain iodine had no significant effects on biomass production and grain yield relative to the controls. These results indicate that adjuvants can play an important role in agronomic biofortification practices, and organosilicon-based products have a great potential to enhance foliar penetration resulting in a higher translocation rate of foliar-applied iodine to grains, which is required to increase the iodine density of staple grains effectively.

Estimation GCA and SCA, hybrid potency, protein gene action and grain yield for two generations of bread wheat grains ( Triticum aestivum. L) Abstract The aim is to study the general and specific ability potential, the strength of the hybrid

Estimation GCA and SCA, hybrid potency, protein gene action and grain yield for two generations of bread wheat grains ( Triticum aestivum. L) Abstract The aim is to study the general and specific ability potential, the strength of the hybrid

Genetic polymorphism of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit loci in bread wheat varieties in the Pre-Ural steppe zone.

High-molecular-weight glutenins play an important role in providing high baking qualities of bread wheat grain. However, breeding bread wheat for this trait is very laborious and, therefore, the genotyping of variety samples according to the allelic composition of high-molecular-weight glutenin genes is of great interest. The aim of the study was to determine the composition of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits based on the identification of the allelic composition of the Glu-1 genes, as well as to identify the frequency of the Glu-1 alleles in bread wheat cultivars that are in breeding work under the conditions of the Pre-Ural steppe zone (PSZ). We analyzed 26 winter and 22 spring bread wheat varieties from the PSZ and 27 winter and 20 spring varieties from the VIR collection. Genotyping at the Glu-A1 locus showed that the Ax1 subunits are most common in winter varieties, while the predominance of the Ax2* subunits was typical of spring varieties and lines. In the Glu-B1 locus, the predominance of alleles associated with the production of the Bx7 and By9 subunits was revealed for both winter and spring varieties. In the case of the Glu-D1 gene, for all the wheat groups studied, the composition of the Dx5+Dy10 subunits was the most common: in 92.3 % of winter and 68.2 % of spring PSZ accessions and in 80 % of winter and 55 % of spring VIR accessions. The analysis of genotypes showed the presence of 13 different allelic combinations of the Glu-A1, Glu-B1, Glu-D1 genes in the PSZ varieties, and 19 combinations in the VIR varieties. The b b/al/с d allelic combination (Ax2* Вх7+Ву8/8*/9 Dx5+Dy10) turned out to be the most common for the PSZ spring varieties and lines, while for the PSZ winter accessions it was a с d (Ax1 Вх7+By9 Dx5+Dy10); the b с a and b с d genotypes (Ax2* Вх7+Ву9 Dx2+Dy12 and Ax2* Вх7+Ву9 Dx5+Dy10, respectively) occur with equal frequency among the VIR spring accessions; in the group of VIR winter varieties, the combination of the a b/ al d alleles (Ax1 Вх7+Ву8/8* Dx5+Dy10) prevails. The most preferred combination of alleles for baking qualities was found in the spring variety 'Ekaterina' and winter varieties 'Tarasovskaya 97', 'Volzhskaya S3', as well as in lines k-58164, L43510, L43709, L-67, L-83, which are recommended for further breeding programs to improve and preserve baking qualities in the conditions of the Pre-Ural steppe zone.

Comparative compositions of grain of tritordeum, durum wheat and bread wheat grown in multi-environment trials

Three genotypes each of bread wheat, durum wheat and tritordeum were grown in randomized replicated field trials in Andalusia (Spain) for two years and wholemeal flours analysed for a range of components to identify differences in composition. The contents of all components that were determined varied widely between grain samples of the individual species and in most cases also overlapped between the three species. Nevertheless, statistically significant differences between the compositions of the three species were observed. Notably, tritordeum had significantly higher contents of protein, some minerals (magnesium and iron), total phenolics and methyl donors. Tritordeum also had higher levels of total amino acids (but not asparagine) and total sugars, including raffinose. By contrast, bread wheat and tritordeum had similar contents of the two major dietary fibre components in white flour, arabinoxylan and β-glucan, with significantly lower contents in durum wheat.

Effect of Three Sowing Dates on the Quality Characteristics of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grown in Central Sudan

224U. of K. J. Agric. Sci. 22(2), 224-240, 2014Effect of Three Sowing Dates on the Quality Characteristics of BreadWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grown in Central SudanM.G. Abdalla 1 , Hayat Abdelrahman2 and S.M. Mohamed 31, 3 Agricultural Research Corporation, Dongola Research Station2 National Food Research Centre, Grain Technology DepartmentAbstract: This research was conducted to study the effect of differentsowing dates on the quality characteristics of bread wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) grains grown in central Sudan during 2005/2006 season. Thefield experiment was executed by split plot design with three replications.Three sowing dates (November 6 th , November 21st and December 6th )were used to represent the early, mid and late sowing dates. Grain qualitycharacteristics of four released cultivars; namely, Argine, Alneilain,Debeira and Condor were studied. Characters such as 1000 - kernel(grain) weight, test weight (Hectoliter weight) and flour yield declinedprogressively with delayed sowing date (6th Dec.). Maximum values wereobtained in the early sowing date (6th Nov.) and minimum values in thelate sowing date (6th Dec.).The results showed that proper sowing dateresulted in the highest protein and gluten values in wheat grain and flour.With the late sowing date, these two parameters decreased in all cultivarstested. The cultivars Debeira and Condor were the most affected, whilethe cultivar Argine showed little effect. Argine had higher protein andgluten values than the other cultivars in the three sowing dates. Thechange of proportions of different protein components in wheat graininduced by the variation of sowing dates could be the main reason for theimprovement in wheat grain quality in Sudan.

Study of the quality indicators of modern winter wheat varieties developed by the FSBSI ARC “Donskoy”

The current paper has presented a three-year estimation of 14 new winter bread wheat varieties, recently developed in the laboratory of half-intensive type of the FSBSI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”, according to such indicators as kernel hardness, grain nature weight, protein and gluten percentage in grain, IDK, SDS-sedimentation, flour strength, volume yield of bread from 100 g of flour and general baking assessment. The main way to improve the quality of winter bread wheat grain and flour is breeding, the development of varieties and samples with optimal values of these indicators. The purpose of the current study was to estimate current winter bread wheat varieties developed by the FSBSI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy” according to the main quality indicators of grain and flour. Breeding for high flour-grinding and baking quality of grain has always been one of the priority areas for winter bread wheat breeding at the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”. There has been identified more than 14 % of protein in grain on average for all studied varieties in 2019 (14.14 %) and 2021 (14.10 %). The average value of gluten content in grain was at the level of 27.1 %. More than 28.0 % of gluten was found in such varieties as ‘Volnitsa’ (28.9 %), ‘Podarok Krymu’ (29.5 %) and ‘Zolotoy Kolos’ (28.9 %). According to a set of quality indicators, the studied genotypes belonged to the second and third quality classes according to GOST 9353-2016. According to the study results, there have been determined significant positive correlations between protein percentage and gluten content in grain (r = 0.71±0.19); volume yield of bread and general baking assessment (r = 0.95±0.05); gluten content and flour strength (r = 0.57±0.22); grain nature weight and SDS-sedimentation (r = 0.62±0.21); SDS-sedimentation and flour strength (r = 0.63±0.21).

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.

MACGRAN-IJ: AN EFFICIENT METHOD TO ANALYZE DIMENSIONS AND COLOR OF WHEAT GRAINS

The dimensions, shape, and color of wheat grain are important in plant breeding, although their manual measurement is difficult and time-consuming. While it is true that digital image analysis (DIA) with specific software has made it easier, some are semiautomatic, exclude color, and require the digitization of individual grains. The goal of this study was to compare the precision, accuracy, and efficiency of MacGran-IJ versus SmartGrain, GrainScan, and manual caliper measurement. The morphological characteristics of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grains were measured using DIA with MacGran-IJ, including color (in RGB and CIELab color spaces), size (mm2), lateral length (LLG, mm), ventral length (VLG, mm), lateral (LWG, mm) and ventral (VWG, mm) width, perimeter (mm), and circularity. Length, LWG, and VWG were measured with a digital caliper. The time (s) taken in each method was recorded. Size, LLG, VLG, and VWG were the same between methods for both species, but the LWG measurement obtained with vernier showed differences between the three programs (p ≤ 0.01), as well as low accuracy and precision. VWG obtained manually had R2 values of 0.92, 0.91, and 0.89 (p ≤ 0.01) for MacGran-IJ, SmartGrain, and GrainScan, respectively. The ventral and lateral color red of wheat grain differed between MacGran-IJ and GrainScan; the lateral part of the bread wheat grain showed differences for red, green, and blue (p ≤ 0.05). DIA in CIELab color required 11.57 s, and in RGB it needed 7.25 s (p ≤ 0.01). Manual measurement of 50 wheat grains required 1528.07 s, whereas SmartGrain took 101.84 s, MacGran-IJ 45.4 s, and GrainScan 54.11 s (H = 36.59, p ≤ 0.01). MacGran-IJ is an automated, simple, and efficient method for accurately measuring the size, length, and width of wheat grains using digitized images

The translational landscape of bread wheat during grain development.

The dynamics of gene expression in crop grains has typically been investigated at the transcriptional level. However, this approach neglects translational regulation, a widespread mechanism that rapidly modulates gene expression to increase the plasticity of organisms. Here, we performed ribosome profiling and polysome profiling to obtain a comprehensive translatome data set of developing bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains. We further investigated the genome-wide translational dynamics during grain development, revealing that the translation of many functional genes is modulated in a stage-specific manner. The unbalanced translation between subgenomes is pervasive, which increases the expression flexibility of allohexaploid wheat. In addition, we uncovered widespread previously unannotated translation events, including upstream open reading frames (uORFs), downstream open reading frames (dORFs), and open reading frames (ORFs) in long noncoding RNAs, and characterized the temporal expression dynamics of small ORFs. We demonstrated that uORFs act as cis-regulatory elements that can repress or even enhance the translation of mRNAs. Gene translation may be combinatorially modulated by uORFs, dORFs, and microRNAs. In summary, our study presents a translatomic resource that provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of the translational regulation in developing bread wheat grains. This resource will facilitate future crop improvements for optimal yield and quality.

TaMADS29 interacts with TaNF-YB1 to synergistically regulate early grain development in bread wheat.

Grain development is a crucial determinant of yield and quality in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying wheat grain development remain elusive. Here we report how TaMADS29 interacts with TaNF-YB1 to synergistically regulate early grain development in bread wheat. The tamads29 mutants generated by CRISPR/Cas9 exhibited severe grain filling deficiency, coupled with excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and abnormal programmed cell death that occurred in early developing grains, while overexpression of TaMADS29 increased grain width and 1,000-kernel weight. Further analysis revealed that TaMADS29 interacted directly with TaNF-YB1; null mutation in TaNF-YB1 caused grain developmental deficiency similar to tamads29 mutants. The regulatory complex composed of TaMADS29 and TaNF-YB1 exercises its possible function that inhibits the excessive accumulation of ROS by regulating the genes involved in chloroplast development and photosynthesis in early developing wheat grains and prevents nucellar projection degradation and endosperm cell death, facilitating transportation of nutrients into the endosperm and wholly filling of developing grains. Collectively, our work not only discloses the molecular mechanism of MADS-box and NF-Y TFs in facilitating bread wheat grain development, but also indicates that caryopsis chloroplast might be a central regulator of grain development rather than merely a photosynthesis organelle. More importantly, our work offers an innovative way to breed high-yield wheat cultivars by controlling the ROS level in developing grains.