Wheat Grain Quality Research Articles

New ozone–nitrogen model shows early senescence onset is the primary cause of ozone-induced reduction in grain quality of wheat

Abstract. Ozone (O3) air pollution is well known to adversely affect both the grain and protein yield of wheat, an important staple crop. This study aims to identify and model the key plant processes influencing the effect of O3 on wheat protein. The DO3SE-Crop model was modified in this work to incorporate nitrogen (N) processes, and we parameterised the O3 effect on stem, leaf, and grain N using O3 fumigation datasets spanning 3 years and four O3 treatments. These modifications mean that the newly developed DO3SE-CropN model is the first crop model to include O3 effects on N processes, making it a valuable tool for understanding O3 effects on wheat quality. Our results show that the new model captures the O3 effect on grain N concentrations and the anthesis leaf and stem concentrations well, with an R2 of 0.6 for the increase in grain N concentration and an R2 of 0.3 for the decrease in grain N content under O3 exposure. However, the O3 effect on harvest leaf and stem N is exaggerated. Overestimations of harvest leaf N range from ∼20 % to 120 %, while overestimations of harvest stem N range from ∼40 % to 120 %. Further, a sensitivity analysis revealed that, irrespective of O3 treatment, early senescence onset (simulated as being ∼13 d earlier in the treatment with very high O3 vs. the low-O3 treatment) was the primary plant process affecting grain N. This finding has implications for the breeding of stay-green cultivars for maintaining yield, as well as quality, under O3 exposure. This modelling study therefore demonstrates the capability of the DO3SE-CropN model to simulate processes by which O3 affects N content and, thereby, determines that senescence onset is the main driver of O3 reductions in grain protein yield. The implication of the sensitivity analysis is that breeders should focus their efforts on stay-green cultivars that do not experience a protein penalty when developing O3-tolerant lines, to maintain both wheat yield and nutritional quality under O3 exposure. This work supports the second phase of the Tropospheric Ozone Assessment Report (TOAR) by investigating the impacts of tropospheric O3 on wheat, with a focus on wheat quality impacts that will subsequently affect human nutrition.

Economic and biological assessment of a new medium-ripened variety of soft winter wheat Priazovye

Relevance. In the Russian Federation, winter common wheat is the main food and strategic crop. Permanent improvement of productivity and quality of wheat grain, reducing its production costs is the main task of agricultural production. To solve this problem, the leading place is given to the continuous and constant creation and introduction into production of new competitive wheat varieties, highly adapted to stress factors, with guaranteed high yields and high grain quality.Methods. The research was carried out in the southern zone of the Rostov region at the experimental sites of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution ANTS “Donskoy” in 2021–2023 in order to create a new variety of soft winter wheat capable of forming not only high yields, but also having high frost resistance, drought resistance, resistance to leaf diseases, possessing high rheological and technological properties of grain and flour.Results. The winter common wheat variety Priazovie was developed by stepwise hybridization using the varieties Voyazh and Tanya. This is a highly productive variety. On average, over three years (2021–2023) of study in the competitive variety testing, the productivity of the variety laid in green manure fallow was 9.88 t/ha, exceeding that of the standard variety by 1.56 t/ha. The variety is capable of producing high yields after various forecrops. The maximum productivity of the variety (12.23 t/ha) was obtained in green manure fallow in 2022. The variety forms a high stem capacity (up to 800 pcs/m²), and is characterized by high resistance to the main leaf diseases, such as powdery mildew, brown and yellow mildew, loose smut, leaf blotch, etc. According to the main indicators of grain and flour quality, it belongs to valuable wheat, in terms of frost resistance (73.3%) it surpasses the standard Ermak variety (69.2%).

Seed and grain yield and quality of wheat subjected to advanced harvest using a physiological ripening process

This study aimed to evaluate the yield performance, physiological and nutritional quality of wheat seeds and grains subjected to times of application of a physiological ripening agent in pre-harvest. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design and the treatments were six times of application of the physiological process of ripening in three replications. The applications were carried out at the ealy milk stage, milk stage, early dough stage, soft dough stage, hard dough stage and a control with no application. Yield, nutritional characteristics and the physiological quality of the seeds were evaluated. Analysis of variance and the Skott Knott test were performed at 5% probability. Linear correlation coefficients between pairs of traits were calculated. The application of the physiological process of ripening from the soft dough stage did not affect wheat grain yield. Wheat seed germination was not impacted when the physiological process of ripening was applied from the hard dough stage. The use of the ripening agent reduced the vigor of wheat seeds, regardless of the time of application. The presence of protein in grains was not influenced by the application of the physiological ripening agent. Starch had the greatest expression when the physiological process of ripening was applied between the milk stage and the early dough stage.

Efficiency of paclobutrazol and gibberellic acid in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under different doses of nitrogen fertilization

Application of growth regulators like paclobutrazol and gibberellic acid is a suitable way to prevent excessive nitrogen consumption. Therefore, this 2-year research was conducted in Karaj, Iran. This research was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a split-plot arrangement in 2019–2021. Treatments included nitrogen at three levels: (60, 105 and 150 kg ha−1) which were placed in the main plots. The second factor was the foliar application of growth regulators at three levels: [gibberellic acid (100 ppm), paclobutrazol (200 ppm) and control]. The results showed that application of paclobutrazol and gibberellic acid raised super wheat yield and quality compared to control. The highest biological yield (27.67 ton ha−1), was observed in the interaction of nitrogen 150 kg ha−1 + gibberellic acid in the second year, which was the same with nitrogen 150 kg ha−1 + gibberellic acid in the first year and also interaction of nitrogen 150 kg ha−1 + paclobutrazol in the second year. The highest grain protein (14.69%) was seen in nitrogen 150 kg ha−1 + gibberellic acid in the second year and nitrogen 150 kg ha−1 + gibberellic acid in the first year. Growth regulators usage and increasing the nitrogen content (150 kg ha−1), improved the yield and grain quality of wheat. Therefore, the interaction of nitrogen 150 kg ha−1 + gibberellic acid and nitrogen 150 kg ha−1 +paclobutrazol, were the best treatments of this study, due to the creation of suitable environmental conditions for wheat, and these treatments can be suggested to the farmers.

Impact of Planting Time on the Performance of Different Wheat Varieties: A Review

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is among the most widely cultivated cereal crops globally. Wheat belongs to family Poaceae and genus Triticum and its center of origin is South Western Asia. Following China, India is the second-largest wheat producer in the world. Among different species of wheat crop, Triticum aestivum is the most prime because of its higher calorific values as well as a good addition for nutritional requirement of human body due to appearance of 9-10 % protein and 60-80 % carbohydrates. Choosing the appropriate sowing time and selecting suitable cultivars are crucial for achieving higher wheat yields. Early sowing with the optimal plant population promotes better growth and nutrient uptake, leading to increased crop production. Delayed sowing reduces the growth, yield, and quality of wheat grain, while early sowing leads to greater yields thanks to a longer grain development phase. Additionally, cultivar selection played a crucial role in determining wheat performance. Some cultivars exhibited greater adaptability to varying sowing dates, maintaining higher yields and better stress tolerance. Proper selection of cultivars is obtained to maximum yield due to variation among the weather conditions and genetic diversity. Optimum sowing dates give suitable temperature to obtain maximum productivity and cultivars selection also play prime role in obtaining maximum wheat production. Improper selection of cultivars produces lower grain yield.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi affected soft wheat quality properties and nutritional index by regulating the composition and secondary structure of protein

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation has important regulatory influence on plant growth and nitrogen uptake, which are intimately associated with soft wheat yield and quality. The study aimed to investigate the impact of AMF inoculation on soft wheat grain yield, protein compositions, protein quality, secondary structure of gluten, dough properties and biscuits baking quality. In this study, AMF inoculation significantly increased grain yield. AMF inoculation decreased grain protein content by 5.1%, glutenin content by 8.5%, GMP by 14.3%, and HMW-GS by 8.8% compared with CK. Conversely, AMF inoculation increased the ratio of gliadin/glutenin. Further analysis showed AMF treatment had a looser gluten network than CK, significantly reduced β-sheet and β-turn content, while α-helix content increased. The nutritional index of grain protein was slightly reduced under AMF inoculation, yet the biological value was improved. Reduced wet gluten content, gluten performance index and dough development time under AMF treatment through regulation of soft wheat protein composition and gluten protein structure. Therefore, biscuits in AMF treatment showed reduced thickness, hardness, significantly greater spread ratio and sensory score compared with CK. These indicate that AMF application would be a beneficial agronomic practice to synergistically optimize yield and grain quality in soft wheat.

Quantitative assessment of the effects of rising temperature on the grain protein of winter wheat in china and its adaptive strategies

With advancements in genetics and technology, wheat yields have continuously increased, but grain quality has remained stagnant or even decreased in recent decades. The effects of temperature on the future grain quality of winter wheat in China are unknown. This study used an improved WheatGrow model, along with two future temperature scenarios, to quantify the regional impacts of temperature increases on grain protein in China and aimed to find effective strategies to adapt to the impact of temperature increases on quality. Compared with those in the baseline period, the protein concentration of wheat grains in the main winter wheat production region of China increased by 0.27% and 0.41% under the 1.5 ℃ and 2.0 ℃ temperature increase scenarios, respectively. However, the grain protein concentrations in the Sichuan Basin of Medium and Weak Gluten Wheat Subregion (Ⅴ) decreased. The temperature rise was estimated to increase the proportion of strong gluten-type wheat but reduce the proportion of medium gluten-type wheat, with the proportion of weak gluten-type wheat changing slightly. Advanced planting date was projected to increase the grain protein concentration in the Northern Strong Gluten Wheat Subregion (Ⅰ), the Northern of Huang-Huai Strong and Medium Gluten Wheat Subregion (Ⅱ), the Southern of Huang-Huai Medium Gluten Wheat Subregion (Ⅲ) and the Yangzi River of Medium and Weak Gluten Wheat Subregion (Ⅳ), whereas a delayed planting date reduced the protein concentration in subregions Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ. In addition, the grain protein concentration was not significantly affected in the higher high-temperature threshold varieties in the southern winter wheat production region under the global warming scenarios. However, if more strong gluten-type wheat is required in the northern China in the future, varieties with lower high-temperature thresholds can be selected without considering wheat yields. Moreover, increasing the nitrogen fertilizer application rate could further increase the wheat protein concentration under future warming scenarios, and the protein concentration of wheat was more sensitive to the nitrogen fertilizer application rate in the northern winter wheat production region than in the southern region. These findings are crucial for improving grain quality across different wheat production regions of China in the future.

Fusarium species and assessments of mycotoxin (deoxynivalenol), in wheat seeds from different regions of Türkiye

Wheat cultivation is important in Turkish agriculture, which ranks 10th among international wheat producers, and is an important wheat exporter, particularly to Europe. Fusarium-related threats, such as Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) and Fusarium Crown and Root Rots (FCR, FRR), and related mycotoxin seed contamination, jeopardize product quality. This study analysed 65 wheat seed samples for presence of Fusarium species, from cultivars of Triticum aestivum (bread wheat) and T. durum (durum wheat) collected from seven regions of Türkiye. PCR with specific primers, and phylogenetic analyses of TEF1-α segments, discriminated Fusarium species. Levels of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) in flour samples were also evaluated. Out of 195 Fusarium isolates, the prominent species included F. graminearum (32% of isolates), F. proliferatum (16%), F. avenaceum (11%), F. clavum (11%), and F. verticillioides (7%). Less frequently isolated species were F. oxysporum (6%), F. acuminatum (3%), F. ramigenum (3%), F. culmorum (3%), F. poae (2%), F. sambucinum (2%), F. tricinctum (2%), Fusarium sp. FTSC12 (2%), F. andiyazi (1%), and F. equiseti, F. incarnatum, and F. fasciculatum (each 0.5%). Five of the 65 samples tested positive for DON, with two exceeding the European Commission threshold for mycotoxin contamination; one bread wheat from the Black Sea region, known for its annual rainfall, and a durum wheat sample from southeastern Anatolia, which had the highest detected DON level of 1730 μg kg-1. Among these samples F. graminearum was the predominant species. As F. andiyazi and F. ramigenum are not normally associated with wheat plants, a pathogenicity test was conducted with two isolates of each of these species, revealing no pathogenicity on the durum wheat cultivar ‘San Carlo’. These results provide a basis for managing fungal threats and mycotoxin contamination, safeguarding the quality of wheat grain as an essential agricultural product.

The Copper Metal and Magnetite Nanoparticles Conjugated with Salicylic Acid Composite Stimulated Wheat Defense Mechanism and Affected Cellular Components under Heat Stress

Aims: This study aimed to examine the effect of magnetite coating of salicylic acid and Cu metal nanoparticles on yield, cellular contents, and some biochemical constituents of wheat subjected to heat stress. Background: An applied experiment was conducted over two seasons at the Agricultural Experimental Station of Desert Research Center (DRC), which was supervised by the El Wadi El Gadeed Governorate in Egypt. The grains of wheat cultivars Sids1 (tolerant) and Gimmeza7 (sensitive) were treated with copper metal as NPs (Cu NPs) (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, and 10 ppm) and magnetite NPs (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0 and 10 ppm) coated with salicylic acid at 100ppm (Fe NPs+SA). Objective: The objective of this study was to examine wheat tolerance to heat stress and subsequently yield by comparing two wheat cultivars under the same conditions. Method: The chemically formulated nanoparticles were well characterized and applied in two wheat cultivars subjected to heat stress. Results: The results showed that all NPs treatments had a positive impact on all physiological parameters and grain yield. Sids1 surpassed Gemmeiza7 in the quality of wheat grains (essential, nonessential amino acids). However, Gimmeza7 exceeded Sids1 in yield quantity, especially with the application of SA+Fe NPs at 0.50 ppm. These effects were associated with heat tolerance and the best survival in wheat cultivars. There was an increase in glutathione content, antioxidant enzymes (Glutathione -S- Transferase), and/or a decline in malondialdehyde content. Conclusion: Fe NPs+SA (0.5ppm) helped the Gimmeza7 cultivar to mitigate the effects of heat stress through activating growth, glutathione, and glutathione S transferase, enhancing yield quantity in two wheat cultivars (Misr1 and Gimmeza11), and decreasing their MDA content.

Comprehensive analysis of hairpin small RNAs involved in resistance and pathogenesis during wheat-Puccinia triticina interactions.

Wheat leaf rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina (Pt), severely affects the grain quality and quantity of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Hairpin small(s)RNAs, like micro(mi)RNAs and their variants [including isomiRNAs (isomiRs) and microRNA-like RNAs (milRNAs)], along with their corresponding target genes, bestow leaf rust disease resistance, development and progression from both interacting species. However, the regulatory networks remain inadequately understood. Thirteen differentially expressed novel miRNAs, including two isomiRs and three milRNAs were discerned from induced reads of wheat sRNA libraries, and a further 5,393 and 1,275 candidate target genes were predicted in wheat and Pt, respectively. Functional annotation divulged that wheat-originated miRNAs/isomiRs were involved in resistance, while Pt-derived milRNAs imparted pathogenesis. The identified milRNAs- Tae-Pt-milR5, Tae-Pt-milR12, and Tae-Pt-milR14b and their cleavage sites on Pt target gene MEP5 were confirmed through degradome library screening, suggesting cross-kingdom translocation of Pt virulent genes in wheat host. Co-expression analysis of miRNAs/isomiRs-target genes provided insights into combating leaf rust disease, while co-expression analysis of milRNAs-target gene pairs reflected the extent of pathogenicity exerted by Pt with varied expression levels at the analyzed time points. The analysis pinpointed leaf rust-responsive candidate hairpin sRNAs- Tae-miR8, Tae-Pt-miR12, Tae-Pt-miR14a, and Tae-Pt-miR14b in wheat and Tae-Pt-milR12 in Pt. This study provides new insights into the hairpin sRNAs involved in the resistance and pathogenesis of wheat and Pt, respectively. Furthermore, crucial hairpin sRNAs and their promising targets for future biotechnological interventions to augment stress resilience have been identified.

Metabolomics Uncovers the Mechanisms of Nitrogen Response to Anthocyanins Synthesis and Grain Quality of Colored Grain Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Nitrogen (N) is a key factor for plant growth and affects anthocyanin synthesis. This study aimed to clarify the potential mechanisms of N levels (LN, 0 kg·ha-1; MN, 150 kg·ha-1; HN, 225 kg·ha-1) in anthocyanin synthesis and grain quality of colored grain wheat. HN increased the yield component traits and grain morphology traits in colored grain wheat while decreasing the processing and nutrient quality traits. Most quality traits were significantly negatively correlated with the yield composition and morphological traits. Anthocyanin was more accumulated under LN conditions, but other related yield and morphological traits of colored grain wheat declined. The anthocyanin content was the highest in blue wheat, followed by that in purple wheat. Cyanidin-3-O-(6-O-malonyl-β-d-glucoside) and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside were the predominant anthocyanins in blue and purple wheat. The identified anthocyanin-related metabolites were associated with flavonoid biosynthesis, anthocyanin biosynthesis, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Therefore, the study provided information for optimizing nitrogen fertilizer management in producing high quality colored wheat and verified the close relationship between anthocyanin and low N condition.

Preferentially expressed endosperm genes reveal unique activities in wheat endosperm during grain filling

BackgroundBread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) endosperm contains starch and proteins, which determine the final yield, quality, and nutritional value of wheat grain. The preferentially expressed endosperm genes can precisely provide targets in the endosperm for improving wheat grain quality and nutrition using modern bioengineering technologies. However, the genes specifically expressed in developing endosperms remain largely unknown.ResultsIn this study, 315 preferentially expressed endosperm genes (PEEGs) in the spring wheat landrace, Chinese Spring, were screened using data obtained from an open bioinformatics database, which reveals a unique grain reserve deposition process and special signal transduction in a developing wheat endosperm. Furthermore, transcription and accumulation of storage proteins in the wheat cultivar, XC26 were evaluated. The results revealed that 315 PEEG plays a critical role in storage protein fragment deposition and is a potential candidate for modifying grain quality and nutrition.ConclusionThese results provide new insights into endosperm development and candidate genes and promoters for improving wheat grain quality through genetic engineering and plant breeding techniques.

Influence of sowing dates and fertilisation on yield and quality of winter wheat grain

New wheat varieties exhibit a high adaptive potential for productivity. The question of improving cultivation technologies, specifically sowing dates, optimised fertilisation systems, and micronutrient application, remains relevant to fully realise the genetic potential of these varieties under specific soil and climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of sowing dates, fertilisation, and foliar application of micronutrients on the yield and quality parameters of winter wheat grown in the Western Forest-Steppe zone. A field experiment was conducted on grey forest surface-gleyed soils during 2021-2023. The study evaluated the yield formation parameters and quality indicators of the winter wheat varieties Estafeta myronivska, Dovira odeska, and Akhim under sowing dates of 20 September, 5 October, and 20 October. It was determined that the yield and grain quality of the studied wheat varieties varied under the influence of sowing dates, fertilisation, and foliar micronutrient application. Sowing winter wheat on 5 October resulted in the highest yields over the years of the study: on average, 5.29 t/ha for the Estafeta myronivska, 4.78 t/ha for Dovira odeska, and 5.05 t/ha for Akhim. The highest productivity (5.83 t/ ha) was achieved by sowing Estafeta myronivska with N120P90K90 fertilisation and foliar application of the Aidamin complex. Across all wheat varieties, protein content, gluten content, and vitreousness increased from the earliest to the latest sowing dates. The findings of this study can be applied to enhance the productivity of winter wheat agroecosystems and produce high-quality grain under production conditions

THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LIME RATES ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF WINTER WHEAT UNDER MINERAL FERTILIZATION ON A SOD-PODZOLIC SOIL

Stable productivity, essential for winter wheat as a strategic crop, can only be achieved by meeting its growth and development requirements, especially nutrition. Soddy-podzolic soils, typically highly acidic in their natural state, are unsuitable for realizing winter wheat's full yield potential. Combined fertilizer and lime application is a key factor for grain yield and quality. While lime (CaCO3) is widely used to reclaim acidic soils, determining the optimal application rate, particularly in combination with mineral fertilizers, is crucial. This research investigated the effect of applying 0,5-2,0 lime norms based on soil hydrolytic acidity (Hh, mmol/100 g) combined with a moderate norm of N60P60K60 mineral fertilizers on winter wheat grain yield and quality. The soil had an initial pHKCl of 4.8 and a hydrolytic acidity of 2,3 mmol/100 g of soil. Field, laboratory, calculation, statistical, and generalization methods were employed. The experiment revealed the lowest grain yield in the control and N60P60K60 treatments without liming. Lime application at various rates with N60P60K60 increased grain yield by 0,74-0,89 t/ha compared to the control, with the 1,5 CaCO3 norm by Hh achieving the best results. The application of 2,0 norms of CaCO3 led to a statistical decrease in yield by 0,14 t/ha (p≤0,05) due to a reduction in available nutrient compounds in the soil. Liming also affected the main indicators of grain quality of winter wheat. An increase to the control was found for the weight of 1000 grains and protein content, while the actual weight of the grain decreased. As the most optimal treatment, regarding grain quality, was found out the option of 1,0 CaCO3 norm based on soil hydrolytic acidity in combination with N60P60K60, with the winter wheat grain yield of 3,54 t/ha and an increase in the protein content in it by 6,8% to the background

Multifunctional Effect of Triterpenoid-Based Growth Regulators on Wheat Plants

The information on the biological role of triterpenoids in plants, possible mechanisms of the phytoregulatory action of triterpenoids and their glycosides is summarized, the physiological and biochemical aspects of the action of plant growth regulators (PGR) based on tritepenoids: Silk, Biosil, Novosil, Alfastim, etc. on wheat plants in different phases of ontogenesis under normal conditions and under the action of stress factors are considered. Data on the effect of these PGR on the incidence of phytopathogens, yield and grain quality of winter and spring wheat are presented.

Effect of zinc application on growth, yield and grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Effect of zinc application on growth, yield and grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Unraveling the effect of drought and heat stresses on grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Drought stress (DS) and heat stress (HS) have adverse effects on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth, serving as the primary constraints that significantly limit grain yield. Present study was carried out during 2020–21 and 2021–22 at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to evaluate the effects of drought and heat stress on grain quality parameters of 4 contrasting wheat genotypes. Several physiological and biochemical parameters were analyzed in wheat cv. C306 (thermotolerant), HD3271 (thermosusceptible), H11500 (drought tolerant) and HD3226 (drought susceptible) under DS and HS. Our study found that disintegration of chlorophyll pigments was higher in wheat cv. HD3226 (43%) under combined stress. Grain weight per spike was reduced by 30% in C306 and 47.3% in HD 3271 under combined drought and heat stress treatment. All cultivars showed reduction in starch, amylose, amylopectin, AGPase and Soluble starch synthase activity under DS and HS. Additionally, a significant increase in total soluble protein and free amino acid content were observed in all genotypes under combined stress. Chlorophyll content and grain weight per spike were positively correlated with the starch, amylose, amylopectin, soluble starch synthase and AGPase activity, while negatively related to the total soluble protein and free amino acid content. The tolerant genotypes maintained higher chlorophyll content, grain weight per spike, starch, amylose, amylopectin, soluble starch synthase and AGPase activity could be used for breeding, for the adaptation to drought and heat under climate change.

Effect of zinc and boron on grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in north-western plain zone of India

An experiment was conducted to study the “Effect of zinc and boron on grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during the winter (rabi) season of 2018–2019 and 2019–20 at the agronomy research farm of IFTM University, Lodhipur Rajput, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. Ten treatments, viz. T1 , Control (no fertilizer); T2 , zinc @ 5 kg/ha (SA); T3 , zinc @ 1 kg/ha (FA); T4 - zinc @ 1 + 1 kg/ha (2 FA); T5 , zinc @ 5 kg/ha (SA) + zinc @ 1 kg/ha (FA); T6 , boron @ 0.5 kg/ha (SA); T7 , boron @ 0.1 kg/ha (FA); T8 , boron @ 0.2 kg/ha (2 FA); T9 , boron @ 0.5 kg/ha (SA) and boron @ 0.1 kg/ha (FA) and T10-, zinc @ 5 kg/ha + boron @ 0.5 kg/ha (SA) were comprised in randomized block design (RBD) with the three replications. The results revealed that different levels and application methods of zinc and boron significantly improved the grain quality of wheat. Maximum Zn content (35.4 and 35.9 mg/ha) and Zn uptake (185.1 and 197.1 g/ha) in 2018–19 and 2019–20, respectively were recorded with Zn @ 5 kg/ha (SA) + zinc @ 1 kg/ha (FA). Moreover, maximum B content (58.5 and 59.5 mg/ha) and B uptake (361.9 and 376.4 g/ha) in 2018–19 2019–20, respectively were observed with B @ 0.5 kg/ha (SA) and B @ 0.1 kg/ha (FA). Maximum protein content in grain (12.6 and 12.7%) and protein yield (712.8 and 744.9 kg/ha) was recorded under Zn - 5 kg/ha (SA) + B 0.5 kg/ha (SA) in 2018–19 and 2019–20, respectively

Phenotyping Wheat Kernel Symmetry as a Consequence of Different Agronomic Practices

The use of instrumental methods of analysis in the assessment of indices that record changes in symmetry in the structure of grains to evaluate the quality of durum and soft wheat grain is currently considered a search tool that will allow us to obtain previously unavailable data by finding correlations associated with differences in the shape and ratio of starch granules in conditionally symmetrical and asymmetrical wheat fruits (kernels) formed in different field conditions and with different genotypes. Indicators that had previously shown their effectiveness were used to analyze the obviously complex unique material obtained as a result of growing under critically unique sowing conditions in 2022, which affected the stability of grain development and filling. For the evaluation, a typical agronomic comparative experiment was chosen, which was used to evaluate the soil tillage practices (fallow, non-moldboard loosening, and plowing) and sowing dates (early and after excessive rainfalls), which made it possible to analyze a wider range of factors influencing the studied indices. The soil tillage methods were found to affect the uniformity of kernel fullness and their symmetry, and the sowing dates did not lead to significant differences. This study presents detailed changes in the shape of the middle cut of a wheat kernel, associated with assessing the efficiency of kernel filling and the symmetrical distribution of storage substances under the influence of external and internal physical factors that affect the formation of the wheat kernel. The data obtained may be of interest to breeders and developers of predictive phenotyping programs for cereal grain and seeds of other crops, as well as plant physiologists.

Effects of genotype, weather, FHB fungicide, and pre-harvest glyphosate on grain quality of hard red spring wheat in western Canada

Diverse growing season weather in western Canada has large effects on wheat quality. Management practices, such as pesticide application, may also affect wheat quality, but are largely unknown. This study measured pesticide application effects on grain quality for six hard red spring wheat cultivars over three growing seasons at four prairie locations. Each siteyear included (i) an untreated control, (ii) fungicide applied at anthesis for Fusarium head blight (FHB) control, (iii) pre-harvest glyphosate applied at physiological maturity, and (iv) a combination of both pesticides. Generally warmer and drier conditions in 2015 and 2017 compared to 2016 resulted in wheat with higher grades, test weight, thousand-kernel weight, and grain protein content but lower Fusarium damaged kernel (FDK) content. Siteyear, reflecting weather variation by location, was the major factor affecting grain quality, contributing from 39% to 77% of total variance. Rainfall variation was greater than that for air temperature and appeared to be the main weather factor affecting quality. Genotype had a significant impact on grain quality but contributed 1%–20% of total variance. The pesticide treatments had a significant effect on several quality parameters, but they contributed only 0.2%–2% to total variance, implying that they have no detrimental effect on wheat grain quality when applied as recommended. Fungicide significantly reduced FDK level in four of ten siteyears, all with high FDK levels, but not when applied at the low FDK siteyears. Fungicide for FHB control should be used only when weather is conducive to high FHB disease pressure.