Wheat Grain Quality Research Articles

БІОХІМІЧНИЙ СКЛАД ЗЕРНА ПШЕНИЦІ М’ЯКОЇ (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) ЗА ВПЛИВУ ДОБРИВ

The article, based on the analysis of scientific works, presents the research findings of the influence of mineral, organic and organo-mineral fertilizer on the biochemical composition of soft wheat grain. It is shown that seed productivity and quality of wheat grain depend on the provision of plants with nutrients during the growth season, resistance to stress factors and biological characteristics of the variety. The yield of winter wheat increases due to super-strong and extra-strong varieties, but the quality of grain, which is negatively correlated with productivity, decreases. Fertilizers are a significant factor in improving the quality of wheat grain, and their use allows to obtain high quality baking flour. Application of different types of organic fertilizers (cattle manure, chicken manure) and green manures (wheat-wheat, oat-pea, mustard) results in an increase in the gluten content from 24.2 to 25.6–27.7 % in grain winter wheat. The application of manure also contributed to the accumulation of proteins in the grain. The quality of wheat grain (nutritional value and baking properties) depends on both the protein content and their amino acid composition. Nitrogen fertilizers have been shown to increase the protein content and the amount of essential amino acids in grain and improve their amino acid composition, but their application, especially in higher doses, reduces the baking properties of wheat flour. The use of nitrogen fertilizers also increases the content of trace elements in wheat grain and improves the nutritional value of this important food. Foliar feeding of plants with chelated micro-fertilizers on the background of complete mineral nutrition (N60P60K60) also improves the quality of grain, while increasing the content of proteins and gluten. Pre-sowing seed treatment and foliar fertilization of plants in the phase of tillering and earing with liquid organo-mineral fertilizer Polidon Bio Zernovyi special purpose for winter wheat, against the background of mineral nutrition (N60P60K60), increased the protein content in grain according to experimental variants and promoted raw gluten growth.

THE STUDY OF QUALITY INDICATORS AND FRACTIONAL COMPOSITION OF WHEAT GRAIN PROTEIN OF SOUTHERN REGIONS OF UKRAINE

The results of studies of the quality of food and non-food grain of wheat from the southern regions of Ukraine in 2016 harvest are presented. The indicators of the quality of wheat grain were determined, the uniformity of their distribution in different classes of wheat was assessed, the content of protein fractions of the gluten complex and the molecular weights of individual protein structures were determined. It was found that the studied 13 samples of wheat grain had the following quality indicators: moisture content 9.4 ... 13.5%, bulk density 731 ... 814 g/l, protein content 10.1 ... 13.2%, gluten content 16.4 ... 25.6%, gluten quality 50 ... 110 units of the IDK device, falling number 311 ... 493 s, grain admixture 1.2 ... 10.5%, grains damaged by a wheat bug, 0.1 ... 10.1%. It was noted that the bulk density of all samples of wheat of 2 ... 6 classes exceeded the standard values in each class. In terms of protein content, 2 from 3 samples of class 5 wheat and 1 from 2 samples of 6 class exceeded the standard value of class 3 wheat (≥11.0%). The same was observed for these samples and for the gluten content (≥18%). Almost all grain samples, except for 2 samples of the 5th class and 2 samples of the 6th class, met the requirements of wheat of the 2nd class (45 ... 100 units device VDK). The falling number of all samples was high and significantly exceeded the normalized value (180 s), even for class 2 wheat. It was found that the uniformity of the distribution of individual quality indicators in different classes of wheat grain by the coefficient of variation is not the same. Such indicators of grain quality as moisture content, bulk density and protein content in different samples of the south of Ukraine in 2016 harvest fluctuated weakly (V≤10%), in terms of the amount of gluten and the falling number fluctuations were average (10% ≤V≤20%). Fluctuations in the content of grain impurities and grains damaged by the wheat bug are big (V≥20%). For the last indicator, fluctuations relative to the average are very large and exceed 120 %. This indicates that in different areas where wheat was grown, the infestation by the wheat bug was very different. It was shown that regardless of the total amount of protein determined by the Infratec FOSS express analyzer, four protein fractions of the gluten complex (albumins, globulins, gliadins and glutenins) are present in all grain classes, and the molecular weights of the protein structures of the main fractions are within small limits, which are in kDa - for albumins and globulins 20...30, gliadins 27.. 100 and glutenins 30...35. It was noted that in the varietal wheat "Chernobrova" albumins and globulins have a slightly higher molecular weight (30...40 kDa) than in non-varietal wheat.

Влияние средообразующих факторов на продуктивность озимой пшеницы

Abstract. The goal is to study the influence of the predecessor and fertilizers on the yield and quality of winter wheat grain. Methods. The studies were carried out in a long-term stationary field experiment on a gray forest medium loamy soil. Field experience, observations, accounting and generalization of research results were carried out in accordance with the methodological recommendations of B.A. Dospekhov. Statistical processing of the research results was performed using Microsoft Excel 2007 with a 95 % significance level of the results. Results. As a result of the studies, it was noted that the studied predecessors had an insignificant effect on the development of winter wheat plants in the initial phases of growth. The density of winter wheat plants during the germination period varied within the range of 314–323 psc/m2 without the use of fertilizers and 317–328 psc/m2 against the background of their application. Further growth and development of plants took place in close relationship with the studied factors. At the end of the growing season, the number of productive stems was higher on the plots, where the clover of the first year of use was used as a predecessor, both in the control (without fertilizers) and when applying mineral fertilizers. Accordingly, the yield of winter wheat grain was higher for this predecessor, averaging 35.7 c/ha for 2014–2019. Without fertilization, depending on the predecessor, 25.2–32.8 c/ha were obtained, against the background of fertilization – 34.2–39.6 c/ha of winter wheat grain. On average, over the years of research, winter wheat grain contained 10.7–14.0 % protein. Depending on the year, this indicator varied from 8.8 % to 16.8 %. At the same time, the lowest values for the protein content were obtained for the variants without the use of fertilizers. In general, the content of protein and gluten in winter wheat grain largely depended on the application of mineral fertilizers and to a small extent on the predecessor. The weight of 1000 grains, depending on these factors, changed insignificantly.

Influence of previous crops on the productivity of winter wheat varieties

In order to realize the maximum potential parameters of winter wheat productivity, it is necessary, first of all, to use high-yielding varieties with optimal quality indicators of grain, as well as progressive agricultural technologies aimed at obtaining a stable crop yield. Winter wheat places high demands on its previous crops. Insufficient amount of productive moisture in the soil or its extremely low reserves affects the yield, and consequently, the quality of winter wheat grain according to unpaired predecessors. Moreover, dry autumn during the sowing period leads to its delay, which is the reason for obtaining uneven and weak seedlings. In this regard, studies have been carried out to study and assess the influence of predecessors on the agrocenosis, yield and grain quality of promising varieties of Adel, Grom, Tanya winter wheat. According to the experimental scheme, peas, corn for silage and sunflower have been identified as the preceding crops for winter wheat. Agrotechnology in experience is generally accepted for the foothill zone of the Republic of Adygea. The results of the research made it possible to identify the most optimal of the considered predecessors in the cultivation of winter wheat, capable of providing stable yields with high quality grain. Certain differences in the photosynthetic activity of the studied winter wheat varieties for different predecessors have been noted. It has been found that the leaf area of winter wheat varieties is in the range of 30,0–33,5 thousand m2/ha. The highest dry matter content in the range of 4,9–5,0 t/ha is observed in the Grom variety, and the predecessor is peas. The largest number of grains in an ear for three previous crops is 40–43 pcs / ear for peas. It also had a fairly significant effect on the weight of 1000 grains and the grain yield of winter wheat. For example, the weight of 1000 grains of the most productive Thunder variety varied from 40,1 to 41,6 gm, depending on the previous crop. According to the results of the experiments, the highest grain yield of winter wheat within the range of 5,3 t/ha has been noted for the Grom variety when cultivated for peas. The smallest grain yield in the range of 3,8–3,9 t/ha is typical for all studied varieties of winter wheat, namely, according to the cultivated predecessor – sunflower.

Effect of different packaging materials and storage periods on the yield and quality of bread wheat grains

Abstract This investigation was carried out at laboratories of examination and certification of seeds, at the Agronomy Department, faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Egypt during 2019 season to study the impact of storage period, grains treatment and storage methods on quality and yield traits of Gemaza11 cultivar using completely randomized design. The studied traits, were significantly decreased with increasing storage periods till nine months. The lowest mean value test weight (60), seed index (50.33 g), gluten content (10.33 %), fermentation time test (30.67 minutes), fine flour percentage (72%), coarse flour percentage (3.333%), coarse bran percentage (20.33%), and fine bran percentage (4.00%). The highest mean values of grain yield feddan-1 ( ). Moreover the lowest mean values of grain yield feddan-1 ( ). Keywords: grain and quality, fermentation time test, seed index, coarse bran percantage, storage methods Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the leading cereal crops and the ranks first in cultivated area and production in the world (Ali et al 2016). In Egypt, the cultivated area of wheat during 2020 was about 1037862 Million Fadan with the total yield production of 8.9 MMT (USDA, 2020). (Abdelaal and Thilmany 2019).

Zinc Accumulates in the Nodes of Wheat Following the Foliar Application of 65Zn Oxide Nano- and Microparticles.

Using zinc (Zn) foliar fertilizers to enhance the grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum) can be an effective alternative or supplement to Zn soil fertilizers. However, knowledge about the mechanisms of Zn absorption and translocation following foliar application is scarce. Here, autoradiography and γ-spectrometry were used to investigate the behavior of 65Zn applied to wheat leaves as soluble 65Zn chloride (65ZnCl2), chelated 65Zn (65ZnEDTA), 65Zn oxide nanoparticle (65ZnO-NP) suspensions, and 65ZnO microparticle (65ZnO-MP) suspensions. The largest amount of 65Zn absorption occurred in 65ZnCl2 treated leaves. However, this treatment (65ZnCl2) also had the lowest proportion of absorbed 65Zn translocated away from the treated leaf after 15 d due to leaf scorching (p = 0.0007). Foliar-applied 65ZnO-NPs and 65ZnO-MPs had the lowest absorption, but 65ZnO-NPs had the highest relative translocation. 65Zinc EDTA was intermediate, with higher 65Zn absorption than 65ZnO treatments but similar translocation. Regardless, the majority of the foliar-applied 65Zn remained in the treated leaf for all treatments. Furthermore, 65ZnO-NPs and 65ZnO-MPs accumulated in plant nodes, suggesting that Zn was absorbed as dissolved 65Zn and particulate 65ZnO. Overall, the form and amount of absorbed 65Zn affected translocation.

Identifying quantitative trait loci for lodging‐associated traits in the wheat doubled‐haploid population Avalon × Cadenza

AbstractLodging affects grain quality and grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and is difficult to breed for because its sporadic incidence and laborious protocols to measure lodging traits. Thus, developing molecular markers for these traits can increase selection efficiency in breeding programs. The aim of this article is to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with stem/anchorage strength and leverage traits (lodging traits) in a doubled‐haploid population of UK bread wheat Avalon × Cadenza. Field experiments were conducted in the UK during 2012–2013 near High Mowthorpe and during 2013–2014 at Sutton Bonington. Phenotypic and genetic analysis indicated significant genetic variation for all traits. Stem strength (diameter, wall width, and material strength) and leverage (plant height) traits were highly heritable (0.64–0.95), whereas anchorage strength traits (root plate spread and structural rooting depth) and ear number per plant (leverage trait) were less heritable (0.21–0.33). This study identified 18 QTL for lodging traits and grain yield in chromosomes 1D, 2B, 2D, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4D, 5B, and 6B. Two QTL for stem strength on chromosome 1D and 3B explaining 49.6% of the total phenotypic variation (PVE) are estimated to reduce stem lodging risk and shortening the plant height by 12 cm. One QTL for root plate spread on chromosome 5B explaining 22.4% of the PVE could increase root lodging resistance.

Soil Zn Fertilization and Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus and Azotobacter Chroococcum Bacteria Affect the Cd Concentration and Zn Bioavailability in Bread Wheat Grown in a Cd-spiked Soil

ABSTRACT Wheat is the main staple crop in Iran and thus of critical importance in human nutrition. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of individual and co-inoculation of azotobacter chroococcum bacteria (A. chroococcum) and a species (Rhizophagus irregularis) of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on improving the nutritional quality of bread wheat grain. We performed a pot experiment, in which the effects of R. irregularis and A. chroococcum inoculation, and zinc (Zn) fertilization [0, 4.4, and 8.8 mg (kg)−1] to cadmium (Cd)-spiked soil on increasing the Zn bioavailability and reducing the Cd concentration of wheat grains were tested. Inoculation with A. chroococcum increased the rate of root colonization by R. irregularis. Root colonization with AM fungus significantly reduced the grain Cd concentration especially after co-inoculation with A. chroococcum and soil application of ZnSO4 fertilizer. Mycorrhized plants, compared to non-mycorrhized plants had considerably higher grain concentrations of phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N), which were affected by the application rate of ZnSO4 and co-inoculation with A. chroococcum. The response of grain Zn concentration to mycorrhization was dependent on the rate of Zn fertilization and inoculation with A. chorococum. Single inoculation with R. irregularis increased the concentration of phytic acid (PA) and also the molar ratio of PA:Zn in grains, which may have resulted in reduced Zn bioavailability. In contrast, double inoculation of plants with R. irregularis and A. chroococcum reduced the molar ratio of PA:Zn especially after application of ZnSO4. This study suggests that dual inoculation of wheat plants with A. chroococcum and R. irregularis together with Zn fertilization may enhance the nutritional quality of wheat grains.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ОБРАБОТКИ ПОЧВЫ И УДОБРЕНИЙ НА УРОЖАЙНОСТЬ И КАЧЕСТВО ЗЕРНА ЯРОВОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ

The article presents the results of studies of the influence of soil cultivation methods, mineral fertilizers and biofungicide on yield, grain quality of spring wheat and economic indicators. The studies were carried out in 2018-2020. The soil of the experimental site is represented by slightly leached heavy loamy chernozem with a humus content of 5.8%. The object of research is spring wheat, grade “Ulyanovskaya 100”. The subject of research is six methods of soil cultivation: 1) moldboard - (plowing by 20-22 cm PLN-4-35) control; 2) differentiated - (plowing 25-27 cm for the previous crop, disking 6-8 cm for spring wheat); 3) mulching - (by 10-12 cm APK-3 in spring); 4) comb - (OP-3S for 13-15cm); 5) disk - (paper machine for 6-8cm); 6) flat-carved - (KPSh-3 by 13-15cm). The experiment was carried out on four backgrounds: 1) N0P0K0 (control); 2. Background (N30P30K30 - for pre-sowing cultivation); 3. “Fitotrix”; 4.Background N30P30K30 + Fitotrix. The experiment was repeated four times. The arrangement of the plots is systematic, the total area of the plot is 250 m2 (10 x 25), the accounting area is 125 m2 (5 x 25). The highest yield - 3.73 t/ha, was achieved with the use of differentiated tillage, here the profitability of grain production was 161%, the energy efficiency coefficient was 3.51 units, against plowing, where the indicators were respectively by 0.15 t/ha, 52% and 0.43 units below. The greatest responsiveness in the harvesting of grain from fertilizers was observed in the variant with ridge cultivation, where the increments were 0.49 t/ha against the background of the application of N30P30K30, against the background of N30P30K30 + “Fitotrix” - by 0.96 t/ha relative to the non-fertilized background. The quality characteristics of the grain were similar regardless of the main tillage methods. The highest indicators were observed in the combination of biofungicide with mineral fertilizers, where the increase in gluten and protein was 3.4 and 1.1%, compared with the non-fertilized background

Evaluation of the grain quality of soft wheat using a NIR spectrometer

Evaluation of the grain quality of soft wheat using a NIR spectrometer

Assessment of Wheat Genotypes for Quality Attributes Grown under Irrigated and Rainfed Conditions

WHEAT (Triticum aestivum) is utilized as a staple food in several countries because of its exceptional quality properties compared with other grain crops. Wheat can be grown under diverse climatic conditions; however, several biotic and abiotic factors influence the grain quality of wheat. Dry seasons and high temperatures are the fundamental abiotic factors that decrease the yield and influence the grain quality of wheat. In this study, we utilized 18 wheat genotypes that were grown under irrigated and rainfed conditions. The major objective of this study was screening of the best wheat genotypes with improved grain quality and yield which performed better under irrigated and rainfed conditions. The five quality parameters (thousand grains weight (TGW), test weight, protein percentage, gluten percentage, and starch percentage) were studied during two years in irrigated and rainfed conditions. The BWP-122559 performed better regarding to TGW (39.04g) under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Cluster analysis was utilized to assemble the genotypes on the basis of quality parameters. The 18 genotypes were assembled into three clusters; cluster-1 (4 genotypes), cluster-2 (7 genotypes), and cluster-3 (7 genotypes). The cluster-1 (NR-443, IV-II, WBG-14, CT-12176) genotypes were higher in TGW, protein percentage, and gluten percentage which differed in relation to these clusters. These four genotypes were selected based on their performance under irrigated and rainfed conditions. These selected genotypes can be utilized in wheat breeding and crop improvement programme.

Preservation of Soil Fertility Using Sidereal Clover

This study examined the use of intermediate groundcover sideral crops, such as perennial leguminous herbs, to conserve soil fertility though enriching the soil with fresh organic matter, an effective and low-cost method. Studies show that the use of direct sowing technology allows the preservation of all plant residues on the soil surface, which ensures the best accumulation of snow in the winter. Through the preservation of numerous biodrenes from the root system of sweet clover and other cultivated crops, as well as soil channels from earthworms, this direct sowing technology increases the moisture content of the soil and reduces moisture loss. The effectiveness of various soybean, corn and sunflower cultivation technologies with a minimal tillage period was studied. When sweet clover was used for green manure in April, the maximum yield was obtained, and the maximum yield for corn (57.3-82.3 c/ha) was obtained using the no-till technology. As a consequence, the ground cover crop had a noticeable effect on the yield of the second crop rotation - spring wheat, which had a higher yield. The use of direct sowing technology with sweet clover as green manure provided the highest yield of spring wheat - from 37.2 to 39.8 c / ha. The grain quality of spring wheat, placed as the second crop after melilot on green manure, was higher, both under no-till technology and under mini-till technology.
 Keywords: biologization, soil fertility, green manure, clover, direct sowing, productivity

The Impact of Harvesting Time on Fusarium Mycotoxins in Spring Wheat Grain and Their Interaction with Grain Quality

In this work, we studied the impact of harvesting time on Fusarium mycotoxin occurrence in spring wheat and the effect of mycotoxin contamination on the quality of these grains. The spring wheat grains (Triticum aestivum L.) were collected in 2016–2018 when the crop had reached full maturity, 10 ± 2 days and 17 ± 3 days after full maturity. The grain samples were analyzed for Fusarium infection and co-contamination with mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), and T-2 toxin (T-2), as well as the quality of the wheat grains (mass per hectolitre, contents of protein, starch, ash and fat, particle size index (PSI), falling number, sedimentation, wet gluten content, and gluten index). The occurrence of Fusarium spp. fungi and the mycotoxins produced by them in the grains was mostly influenced by the harvesting time and meteorological conditions. The correlations between Fusarium species and the mycotoxins produced by them in the grains of spring wheat showed F. graminearum to be a dominant species, and as a result, higher concentrations of DON and ZEA were determined. The co-occurrence of all the three mycotoxins analyzed (deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and T-2 toxin) was identified in wheat. In rainy years, a delay in harvesting resulted in diminished grain quality of spring wheat, as indicated by grain mass per hectolitre and falling number. Negative correlations were found in highly contaminated grains between mycotoxins (DON, ZEA, and T-2) and falling number and grain mass per hectolitre values.

Evaluation the effect of amini acid, fulvic acid and seaweed extract application in normal and drought stress conditions on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of wheat in Behbahan region

IntroductionWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the important crops in our country. this plant contains starch, protein, sugar and provides food for human population. In recent years, drought stress has become the main abiotic stress, and could decrease growth and yield of wheat. The application of biostimulants, i.e. amino acids, fulvic acid or seaweed extract were found to positive effect on plant growth which overcomes the harmful effect of some environmental stress such as drought. In recent years, the favorable effects of these substances on vegetative characteristics, yield and grain quality of wheat have been reported. Many studies have shown that the application of biostimulants can increase plant tolerance during abiotic stresses, especially water deficit. Little research have been done about the effects of biostimulants on wheat in Khuzestan yet. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of amini acid, fulvic acid and seaweed extract in drought stress on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of wheat. Materials and methodsThis experiment was conducted as split-plot in randomized complete block design with three replications at Behbahan Agricultural Research Station for one year (2017-2018). Irrigation interval considered as main factor in two levels: (70 mm and 130 mm evaporation from class A pan) and the sub factor was growth biostimulants in four levels :control (application of chemical fertilizers according to soil test), amino acid, fulvic acid and seaweed extract. Foliar application of amino ccid, fulvic acid and seaweed extract was done at a concentration of 0.5 % at two stages, tillering and heading. During experiment: plant height, number of spikes per m2, number of grain per spike, 1000- grain weight, grain yield, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganes and iron were recorded. Varince analysis were done by MSTATC statistical software and meanes were compared using Duncan,s Multiple Range Test. Results and discussionThe results showed a significant increase in grain yield in plants treated with biostimulants compared with control. The highest plant height, number of spikes per m2, number of grain per spike, 1000-grain weight and grain yield were recorded in amino acid treatment. The highest increase in N, K and grain Fe was achieved by amino acid while the highest increase in P, Zn and Mn of grain was obtained by seaweed extract compared with control. The results indicated that water deficit stress significantly reduced plant height, number of spikes per m-2, 1000 seed weight, grain yield and nutrients. Also, drought stress significantly reduced grain nutrient uptake. Intreraction of the irrigation levels and biostimulants on grain yield indicated that all biostimulants significantly increased the yield in drought stress. The application of amino acids and seaweeds significantly increased grain yield in compared with both controls (under water deficit stress and under water normal conditions) while the use of fulvic acid significantly increased grain yield in comparison to control under water deficit stress. Therefore, the application of amino acid and seaweed extract reduced the effects of water deficit stress. ConclusionsThe results of this study showed that increasing water deficit stress caused significant reduction of all studied traits. However, the application of amino acid and seaweed extract reduced the effects of water deficit stress and increased these traits compared with control under favorable irrigation condition. According to the results, the application of amino acid or seaweed extract is recommended in normal and drought stress condition for wheat cv brat.

The effects of drought after anthesis on the grain quality of bread wheat depend on drought severity and drought resistance of the variety

The quality responses of two resistant (Mufitbey, Gun 91), two moderately resistant (Sonmez 2001, Gerek 79), two moderately sensitive (Cetinel 2000, Bereket), and two sensitive (Kirik, Bezostaja 1) bread wheat varieties to drought after anthesis were investigated in field experiments conducted in irrigated and drought conditions during the 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 seasons in Erzurum, Turkey. In drought conditions, for the 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 seasons, the highest grain yield was obtained from the Mufitbey variety, the highest protein content from Kirik and Mufitbey, the highest wet gluten content from Kirik and Gun 91, and the highest sedimentation volume from Mufitbey and Bereket, respectively. Drought stress decreased the grain yield, 1000-kernel weight, test weight, and kernel hardness but increased grain ash content in both years, compared with irrigated conditions. Protein content, wet gluten content, and sedimentation volume were increased by drought stress in 2011–2012, but decreased in 2012–2013. The environmental factors had a greater effect on the variations of quality traits than genetic factors. The influence of drought after anthesis on quality traits was primarily dependent on stress severity. The results suggest that moderate drought stress enhances the grain quality traits of wheat, but severe drought stress reduces its quality. The quality response of a wheat variety to drought stress is related to its drought resistance, and drought-resistant varieties can maintain quality characteristics under moderate stress conditions.

Effects of Heat Stress on Growth, Physiology of Plants, Yield and Grain Quality of Different Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes

Heat stress is one of the major threats to wheat production in many wheat-growing areas of the world as it causes severe yield loss at the reproductive stage. In the current study, 28 crosses were developed using 11 parental lines, including 7 female lines and 4 male testers following line × tester matting design in 2018–2019. Twenty-eight crosses along with their 11 parental lines were sown in a randomized complete block design in triplicate under optimal and heat stress conditions. Fifteen different morpho-physiological and grain quality parameters were recorded at different growth stages. Analysis of variance illustrated the presence of highly significant differences among wheat genotypes for all traits under both optimal and heat stress conditions. The results of combining ability unveiled the predominant role of non-additive gene action in the inheritance of almost all the studied traits under both conditions. Among parents, 3 parental lines WL-27, WT-39, and WL-57 showed good combining ability under both normal and heat stress conditions. Among crosses, WL-8 × WT-17, WL-37 × WT-17, WL-7 × WT-39, and WL-37 × WT-39 portrayed the highest specific combining ability effects for grain yield and its related traits under optimal as well as heat stress conditions. Biplot and cluster analysis confirmed the results of general and specific combining ability by showing that these wheat crosses belonged to a highly productive and heat tolerant cluster. Correlation analysis revealed a significantly positive correlation of grain yield with net photosynthetic rate, thousand-grain rate, and the number of grains per spike. The designated parental lines and their crosses were selected for future breeding programs in the development of heat resilient, climate-smart wheat genotypes.

ОБ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ПРЕДПОСЕВНОЙ ОБРАБОТКИ СЕМЯН ОЗИМОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ НАНОЧАСТИЦАМИ МЕТАЛЛОВ

The use of nanotechnologies in agriculture is an advanced course enabling to reduce the dependence of crop tonnage and quality on external factors. A special section is represented by studies of pre-sowing treatment of seeds with metal nanoparticles (NPs). In this work, it is shown for the first time that pre-sowing treatment of seeds with metal nanoparticles with specific physicochemical parameters affects morphometric indices of the of winter wheat growth at all stages of its development as well as the plant resistance to pathogens, grain quality, the degree of its damage from fusarium and elemental composition of the soil after harvesting. Effects depend on the type of metal used. Our aims were to study i) effects of pre-sowing seed treatment with iron, zinc, and copper NPs on the growth parameters and grain quality of winter wheat, and ii) whether this treatment affects the soil after harvest. Iron, zinc, and copper NPs were obtained by the method of high temperature condensation at the Migen-3 apparatus (Institute of Energy Problems of Chemical Physics RAS, Russia). The shape and size of NPs were evaluated by JSM-7401F scanning electron microscope (JEOL Ltd., Japan). X-ray phase analysis was carried out using an ADP-1 X-ray analyzer (NPO Modern Technologies of Non-Destructive Control, Russia). Field trials were carried out at the validation test site of the Novokuban Branch of the Rosinformagrotech (Krasnodar Territory). The predominant soil type is typical chernozem, with medium humus content, heavy loamy. The sowing of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Stan was performed on October 4, 2016 with a setting seed rate 240 kg/h. The assigned treatments were as follows: control (seeds without treatment), seed treatment with Fe NPs (5×10-4 %), Zn NPs (1×10-4 %), Cu NPs (5×10-7 %); Fe NPs + Zn NPs + Cu NPs (5×10-4 % + 1×10-4 % + 5×10-7 %). Soil samples were collected for chemical analysis. For phenological and biometric observations, plants were taken from three locations of 1 m2 area from each experimental and control plot. Plant height, average root length, thickness of the main stem at the plant bottom, tillering and depth of the tillering node were measured. Iron, zinc, and copper NPs were round single-crystal structures covered with a semitransparent oxide film. Average diameter of Fe NPs was 27.0±0.51 nm, Zn NPs 54.0±2.8 nm, Cu NPs 79.0±1.24 nm. X-ray phase analysis showed that iron NPs consisted of 53.6 % crystalline metal phase, Fe3O4 content was 46.4 %, and the oxide film thickness was 3.5 nm. Cu and Zn NPs contained only crystalline metal phases with the similar oxide film thickness, 0.5 to 1.0 nm. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Fe NPs affected the height of seedlings, promoted the formation of a developed root system with total root length being 4.5 % more (р ≤ 0.05) than in the control group, and increased the seedling stand density by 9.96 % (р ≤ 0.05) vs. control. Pre-harvest monitoring of crops revealed an increase in the yield of wheat plant mass after pre-sowing seed treatment with Fe and Cu NPs. Stem length was larger than that of the control (81.3±1.2 sm) by 3.8 and 8 cm, respectively, the average thickness of the main stem at the plant bottom being larger by 6 mm (when processing with Fe NPs) and 5 mm (when treating with Cu NPs) in comparison with the control (44 mm). Plant stands productivity enhancement after Fe and Zn NPs treatments, higher resistance to pathogens (by 3.85 times vs. control) under Fe NPs, a tendency to an increase in the average 1000-grain weight when using NPs of Fe, Zn, and Cu were observed. The crop quality parameters had higher values as compared to the control: in terms of the content of wet gluten by 6.12 % when seeds were treated with Zn and Cu NPs or with NPs composition; the protein mass fraction was larger under treatment with Cu NPs and the NPs composition by 5.1 % vs. control. Pre-sowing treatment with Fe and Zn NPs reduced the prevalence of Fusarium infection in grain by 1.24 and 2.25 times respectively vs. control. Elemental analysis of the soil after harvesting showed a decrease in the content of mobile forms of phosphorus by 27 % and zinc by 48 % after seed treatment with Zn NPs in comparison with the control, and a decrease in the phosphorus mobile forms by 23 % and sulfur by 7 % after pre-sowing treatment with Cu NPs in comparison with the control. The data obtained demonstrate the effective influence of the pre-sowing treatment of seeds by metal NPs on the growth, development and grain quality of wheat.

STIMULATING EFFECTS OF PRE-SOWING SEED TREATMENT WITH METAL NANOPARTICLES ON WINTER WHEAT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

The use of nanotechnologies in agriculture is an advanced course enabling to reduce the dependence of crop tonnage and quality on external factors. A special section is represented by studies of pre-sowing treatment of seeds with metal nanoparticles (NPs). In this work, it is shown for the first time that pre-sowing treatment of seeds with metal nanoparticles with specific physicochemical parameters affects morphometric indices of the of winter wheat growth at all stages of its development as well as the plant resistance to pathogens, grain quality, the degree of its damage from fusarium and elemental composition of the soil after harvesting. Effects depend on the type of metal used. Our aims were to study i) effects of pre-sowing seed treatment with iron, zinc, and copper NPs on the growth parameters and grain quality of winter wheat, and ii) whether this treatment affects the soil after harvest. Iron, zinc, and copper NPs were obtained by the method of high temperature condensation at the Migen-3 apparatus (Institute of Energy Problems of Chemical Physics RAS, Russia). The shape and size of NPs were evaluated by JSM-7401F scanning electron microscope (JEOL Ltd., Japan). X-ray phase analysis was carried out using an ADP-1 X-ray analyzer (NPO Modern Technologies of Non-Destructive Control, Russia). Field trials were carried out at the validation test site of the Novokuban Branch of the Rosinformagrotech (Krasnodar Territory). The predominant soil type is typical chernozem, with medium humus content, heavy loamy. The sowing of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Stan was performed on October 4, 2016 with a setting seed rate 240 kg/h. The assigned treatments were as follows: control (seeds without treatment), seed treatment with Fe NPs (5×10-4 %), Zn NPs (1×10-4 %), Cu NPs (5×10-7 %); Fe NPs + Zn NPs + Cu NPs (5×10-4 % + 1×10-4 % + 5×10-7 %). Soil samples were collected for chemical analysis. For phenological and biometric observations, plants were taken from three locations of 1 m2 area from each experimental and control plot. Plant height, average root length, thickness of the main stem at the plant bottom, tillering and depth of the tillering node were measured. Iron, zinc, and copper NPs were round single-crystal structures covered with a semitransparent oxide film. Average diameter of Fe NPs was 27.0±0.51 nm, Zn NPs 54.0±2.8 nm, Cu NPs 79.0±1.24 nm. X-ray phase analysis showed that iron NPs consisted of 53.6 % crystalline metal phase, Fe3O4 content was 46.4 %, and the oxide film thickness was 3.5 nm. Cu and Zn NPs contained only crystalline metal phases with the similar oxide film thickness, 0.5 to 1.0 nm. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Fe NPs affected the height of seedlings, promoted the formation of a developed root system with total root length being 4.5 % more (р ≤ 0.05) than in the control group, and increased the seedling stand density by 9.96 % (р ≤ 0.05) vs. control. Pre-harvest monitoring of crops revealed an increase in the yield of wheat plant mass after pre-sowing seed treatment with Fe and Cu NPs. Stem length was larger than that of the control (81.3±1.2 sm) by 3.8 and 8 cm, respectively, the average thickness of the main stem at the plant bottom being larger by 6 mm (when processing with Fe NPs) and 5 mm (when treating with Cu NPs) in comparison with the control (44 mm). Plant stands productivity enhancement after Fe and Zn NPs treatments, higher resistance to pathogens (by 3.85 times vs. control) under Fe NPs, a tendency to an increase in the average 1000-grain weight when using NPs of Fe, Zn, and Cu were observed. The crop quality parameters had higher values as compared to the control: in terms of the content of wet gluten by 6.12 % when seeds were treated with Zn and Cu NPs or with NPs composition; the protein mass fraction was larger under treatment with Cu NPs and the NPs composition by 5.1 % vs. control. Pre-sowing treatment with Fe and Zn NPs reduced the prevalence of Fusarium infection in grain by 1.24 and 2.25 times respectively vs. control. Elemental analysis of the soil after harvesting showed a decrease in the content of mobile forms of phosphorus by 27 % and zinc by 48 % after seed treatment with Zn NPs in comparison with the control, and a decrease in the phosphorus mobile forms by 23 % and sulfur by 7 % after pre-sowing treatment with Cu NPs in comparison with the control. The data obtained demonstrate the effective influence of the pre-sowing treatment of seeds by metal NPs on the growth, development and grain quality of wheat.

Relationship between the vegetation index and winter wheat productivity in the arid zone of the Stavropol territory

The main grain crop of the Stavropol Territory is winter wheat, cultivated on an area of 1,798.5 thousand hectares. In the arid zone of the region, the proportion of winter wheat varies from 81.9 to 95.4%. On average, the crop yield in the arid zone is 30.2 100kg/ha. Direct sowing technology is widespread in the arid zone of the region. The technology assumes leaving plant residues on the surface of arable land in order to improve the structure of the soil, protect winter crops from the effects of low temperatures, accumulate nutrients, etc. In the cultivation of winter wheat, moisture availability is the main limiting factor. Consequently, the best predecessors for a winter crop are those after which, at the beginning of sowing, a sufficient amount of productive moisture remains or accumulates in the topsoil. Optimization of mineral nutrition is one of the most effective ways to increase the productivity and quality of winter wheat grain. Before sowing, soil diagnostics are carried out to determine the need of plants for fertilizers and, based on the data obtained, they give recommendations on the use of forms, timing and doses of fertilizing. To obtain information on the physiological state of crops and to draw up recommendations for care measures, ground types of survey work are used, which is a laborious event, and due to large arable areas, it is not always reliable. Therefore, the use of optical-biological assessment methods based on remote sensing of the Earth, which are more objectivity and efficiency, are more in demand.

Glutacetine® Biostimulant Applied on Wheat under Contrasting Field Conditions Improves Grain Number Leading to Better Yield, Upgrades N-Related Traits and Changes Grain Ionome.

Wheat is one of the most important cereals for human nutrition, but nitrogen (N) losses during its cultivation cause economic problems and environmental risks. In order to improve N use efficiency (NUE), biostimulants are increasingly used. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Glutacetine®, a biostimulant sprayed at 5 L ha−1 in combination with fertilizers (urea or urea ammonium nitrate (UAN)), on N-related traits, grain yield components, and the grain quality of winter bread wheat grown at three field sites in Normandy (France). Glutacetine® improved grain yield via a significant increase in the grain number per spike and per m2, which also enhanced the thousand grain weight, especially with urea. The total N in grains and the NUE tended to increase in response to Glutacetine®, irrespective of the site or the form of N fertilizer. Depending on the site, spraying Glutacetine® can also induce changes in the grain ionome (analyzed by X-ray fluorescence), with a reduction in P content observed (site 2 under urea nutrition) or an increase in Mn content (site 3 under UAN nutrition). These results provide a roadmap for utilizing Glutacetine® biostimulant to enhance wheat production and flour quality in a temperate climate.