Hard Red Winter Wheat Research Articles

Soil health benefits of compost persist two decades after single application to winter wheat

AbstractThe effectiveness of frequent compost application in improving soil health is well‐documented. Less is known on the long‐term effects of infrequent compost application to semiarid soils. Compost made of dairy manure and straw bedding was applied once in a dryland organic hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.)–fallow system at 50 Mg ha−1 dry wt. in 1994 in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Twenty‐eight years later, yields in composted plots (1.4 Mg ha−1) remained higher (p < 0.1) than in control plots (0.79 Mg ha−1). Plant‐available P, acid phosphatase activity (ACP), and total N were higher in composted plots by 143%, 37%, and 29%. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and dehydrogenase enzyme activity were greater by 25% and 20% with compost compared to the control, as were aggregate stability determined using SLAKES method, autoclave‐extractable protein, and CO2‐96 h by 143%, 22%, and 16%. Soil extractable K and Zn also increased with compost application. The interaction of ACP and estimated evapotranspiration (ET) emerged as a pivotal factor in explaining the variation in yield. These findings suggest that growers may see some yield improvements from periodic compost applications to dryland organic winter wheat–fallow systems. This strategy could help rebuild SOC and partially counter the challenges of low and variable precipitation.

Zinc supply effects on wheat production in a low precipitation zone

AbstractZinc (Zn) fertilization of hard red and soft white winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is uncommon in the low precipitation zone of the inland Pacific Northwest. It is uncommon because there have been no indications of deficiency. Soil test data, however, show Zn levels have been declining over time. We conducted a four‐site‐year experiment to evaluate effects of fertilization on early‐season tissue Zn concentration (TZC), dry matter accumulation (DMA), Zn uptake (ZNU), the grain test weight (TWT), protein content (PRO), and yield (YLD) of two regionally adapted cultivars. Planting occurred late in September or early in October. Zinc fertilizer, placed with the seed while planting, was applied at rates of 0 and 5 kg Zn ha−1. Application of 5 kg Zn ha−1 increased TZC and ZNU at one of two sites. There were corresponding trends of increased DMA and improved YLD. Response to fertilization occurred on a relatively shallow soil that had a diethylenetriamine‐pentaacidic acid–extractable Zn test level of 0.3 mg kg−1.

Distribution of antioxidants and phenolic compounds in flour milling fractions from hard red winter wheat

Mature wheat kernels contain three main parts: endosperm, bran, and germ. Flour milling results in multiple streams that are chemically different; however, the distribution of antioxidants and phenolic compounds has not been well documented in terms of conventional milling by-product streams. In this study, multiple analytical methods were used to investigate antioxidant activity and phenolic compound compositions of hard red winter wheat (whole ground wheat), the parts of a wheat kernel (bran, flour, germ), and wheat by-product streams (mill feed, red dog, shorts) for the first time. For each mill stream, phenolic compounds (total, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents) were determined and antioxidant activities were evaluated with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity, ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), and total antioxidant capacity assays. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in phenolic concentrations among fractions of bran, flour, and germ milled from the same kernels and noted that germ accounts for the majority of antioxidant properties, whereas bran contains a substantial portion of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins. Mill feed was high in phenolic content (5.29 mg FAE/g), total antioxidant capacity (866 mg/g), and antioxidant activity (up to 75% DPPH inhibition and 20.26 μmol FeSO4/g). The comprehensive information on distribution of antioxidants and phenolic compounds provides insights for future human consumption of commonly produced co-products from flour milling, and for selecting and using different milling fractions to make foods with improved nutritional properties.

A diallel study to detect genetic background variation for FHB resistance in winter wheat

Breeding for resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) relies strongly on a limited number of larger-effect resistance QTL that have been mapped and associated with nearby markers. Smaller-effect (background) resistance QTL may also contribute moderate levels of resistance yet are mostly poorly characterized. Overall resistance of a genotype is determined by the combined action of both types of resistance QTL. This study aimed to identify well-adapted, advanced hard red winter (HRW) wheat breeding lines with useful background resistance QTL. A diallel trial consisting of 11 parents and 55 non-reciprocal F1 hybrids was tested for Type II FHB resistance in a replicated greenhouse experiment. Significant differences were detected among entries for disease severity (DS), general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) with four parents being identified as the best general combiners with lowest DS. The ratio of GCA:SCA effects suggested that additive QTL effects were of primary importance. Overall, resistance QTL showed incomplete dominance, an excess of dominant alleles, and a greater contribution of positive effect genes. F2 of the six best F1 hybrids with the lowest DS were compared in a second greenhouse FHB trial to select possible transgressive segregates for continued evaluation and line development.

IMPACT OF WET GLUTEN CONTENT ON NON-LINEAR VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF WHEAT FLOUR DOUGHS

The impact of wet gluten content in wheat flours on viscoelastic responses of the resulting wheat flour doughs under large deformations were studied using the Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear (LAOS) tests. For this purpose, dough samples of hard red winter (HRW) wheat flour with 29.80.26% wet gluten and soft red winter (SRW) wheat flour with 23.90.15% wet gluten were obtained at the end of the Farinograph tests. Farinograph mixing stability and optimum water absorption capacity were higher for HRW wheat flour. LAOS tests revealed the contribution of gluten content to the resilience of wheat flour dough against the increasing deformations. Higher strain stiffening was found for HRW wheat flour dough with higher gluten content under large deformations with high frequency, resembling the deformations experienced during dough processing steps such as mixing or sheeting. Intracycle shear thinning behaviors of doughs were not affected by the gluten content at each frequency studied.

The effect of lactic acid in association with steam in reducing microorganisms in hard red winter wheat

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesEven though wheat‐based products are a low‐moisture food, and most of the finished products are thermally processed, there have been several reported outbreaks associated with wheat flour. The objective of this study was (a) to evaluate the effect of steam alone or in combination with lactic acid, to reduce the natural microbial load of hard red winter wheat, and (b) to evaluate the impact of these interventions on the functional properties of hard wheat flour.FindingsHard red winter wheat was treated by adding acid to the tempering water, steaming the kernels, or adding a combination of both. Samples were placed on sieves (bed depth 0.5 and 1.0 cm) for those treatments where steam was included and then treated in a steam table until grain temperature achieved 80°C and 85°C. After treatment was applied, wheat was allowed to temper to 15.5% moisture. The combination of acid and steam achieved the highest overall microbial reductions, with 4.0, 4.1, and 4.3 log CFU/g, for APC, Eb, and coliforms, respectively. When flour functionality was evaluated, the interventions applied resulted in some minor differences for individual parameters associated with pasting properties, baking performance, and bread image analysis.ConclusionsThe addition of lactic acid and steam effectively enhanced the microbiological quality of hard wheat and the consequent flour, with no compromise in its functional properties.Significance and NoveltyThis research addresses the food safety concern of microbial contamination in wheat flour and introduces a novel method involving lactic acid and steam treatment to significantly reduce microbial loads without compromising the flour's functional properties.

Modeling ozone deposition on bulk grains and ozone deposition in columns of wheat grains

To better understand ozone deposition on bulk grains to control bacterium and insects, we investigated time-dependent deposition of ozone at various depths in columns of grains. We proposed a model of ozone deposition on bulk grains based on a material balance for ozone. The model included porosity, pore shape factor and velocity of ozone gas for bulk grains. The model was applied to determine the time-dependent deposition velocities of ozone at various depths in columns of wheat grains. Ozone deposition on wheat grains had two distinct phases. Phase 1 was characterized by high deposition velocities and then rapid decrease. In phase 2, the deposition velocities were kept constant with the time at various depths in the column. The saturation time based on the deposition model was 87.1h and the relative error was 2.4% for grade 4 hard red winter wheat with a moisture content of 10.3% at 22.0 °C. The surface reaction probability was the order of magnitude of 1 × 10−6 in the saturation state. This deposition model can be applied to optimize the ozone treatment for various kinds of grains.

PRODUCTION OF SPECIFIC FLOUR FOR FROZEN PRODUCTS BY FLOUR STREAMS BLENDING

The bakery industry requires specific quality flours to manufacture different products. For the production of frozen products, strong flour with specific quality indicators is required, which is caused by the deterioration of the structural and mechanical properties of the dough after defrosting, decrease in the gas–holding capacity and dimensional stability of the dough blanks. Based on the literary review and a priori information the following quality indicators are recommended for flour for frozen products: whiteness &gt;54 units, protein content &gt;12.0%, gluten content &gt;28.0%, GDI in the range of 70–80 units, starch damage in the range of 19–22 UCD, WAC &gt;57%, W &gt;260∙10–4 J and P/L ratio in the range of 0.8–1.2.&#x0D; Milling process of the wheat generates different flour streams that differ in composition, particle size, functional and baking properties. Furter all flour mill streams are blended in one straight grade (single grade milling) or multiple flour grades (split milling). Research in the article is to investigate the quality indicators of flour mill streams for further formation of specific flour for frozen products. For the research, samples of flour were taken from each milling system of the flow diagram during milling of the two hard red winter wheat samples (HW1 and HW2 with protein content 13.3 and 12.2% respectively).&#x0D; Based on the analysis of the quality indicators of flour milling streams and their comparison with the requirements for flour for frozen products, it was established that none of the flour milling streams meets all the flour quality indicators for frozen products – flour streams from systems B3 and B2 have the closest quality indicators. Selected individual flour milling streams that are of great interest as streams for blending for flour for frozen products.&#x0D; As a result of comparing the flour quality indicators obtained at various stages of the technological process with the requirements for flour quality indicators for frozen products flour, the optimal percentage of flour patent yield for frozen products составляет 33.2% for HW1 and 20.5% for HW2.

Mapping the quantitative field resistance to stripe rust in a hard winter wheat population “Overley” × “Overland”

AbstractStripe (yellow) rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is a devastating disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) worldwide. In commercial production, stripe rust reduces grain quality, grain yield, and forage yield. This study was conducted to identify quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with field resistance to stripe rust in hard winter wheat. Stripe rust infection type and severity were rated in recombinant inbred lines (RILs, n = 204) derived from a cross between hard red winter wheat cultivars “Overley” and “Overland” in replicated field trials in the Great Plains and Pacific Northwest. RILs (n = 184) were genotyped with reduced representation sequencing to produce single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from alignment to the “Chinese Spring” reference sequence, IWGSC v2.1, and from alignment to the reference sequence for “Jagger,” which is a parent of Overley. Genetic linkage maps were developed independently from each set of SNP markers. QTL analysis identified genomic regions on chromosome arms 2AS, 2BS, 2BL, and 2DL that were associated with stripe rust resistance using multi‐environment best linear unbiased predictors for stripe rust infection type and severity. Results for the two linkage maps were very similar. PCR‐based SNP marker assays associated with the QTL regions were developed to efficiently identify these genomic regions in breeding populations.

Bulk Compressibility Behavior for Select Crops

Highlights The pressure dependent bulk density relationship was evaluated for nine crops. Two compressibility models were proposed, with RMSE ranging from 1.7 to 7.1 kg m-3, depending on the crop. Differences between compressibility equations had minimal influence on packing predictions in full size bins. Combined test weight and packing correction factors are shown for each crop in bins of different sizes and construction. Abstract. Knowledge of the pressure-dependent bulk density increase observed in stored grains and oil seeds, commonly referred to as packing or compressibility, is important for maintaining accurate grain inventory, evaluating wall loads, and other applications that require estimating density at specific depths in a bin. This study presents compressibility equation parameters determined utilizing a compilation of the best data available, including previously published and new datasets. In all, confined uniaxial compression tests for nine crops (barley, canola, corn, oats, rice, sorghum, soybeans, hard red winter wheat, and soft red winter wheat) were included. The data was fit using two candidate compressibility equations, both of which generally fit well and resulted in root mean squared errors ranging from 1.7 to 7.1 kg m-3, depending on the model and crop. For crops with full scale bin data available from previous research, the resulting equations were applied to estimate inventory and were compared with the measured mass of grain in the bin. Results from both equations were similar, and apart from oats, median errors were less than 2.5%. Keywords: Bulk density, Compressibility, Pack factor, Grain storage, Test weight, Stored grain inventory.

Hard Red and Soft Red Winter Wheat Variety Testing - 2023

This is a summary of the winter wheat production conditions in southeast Kansas in 2021-2022 and the results of the winter wheat variety testing. Wheat production in 2022 benefited from dry conditions at flowering and harvest. Overall yields of hard red wheat were above multi-year averages, while soft red wheat yields were below the 15-year average. As in previous years, soft red winter wheat out-yielded hard red winter wheat varieties, but the extent was not as dramatic as in previous years.

Fungicide Efficacy on Fusarium Head Blight of Hard Red Winter Wheat in Parsons, KS

In 2022, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the efficacy of fungicide programs on Fusarium head blight (FHB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) levels. Fungicide treatments were evaluated in plots of the hard red winter wheat cultivar ‘KanMark’ inoculated with Fusarium graminearum in Parsons, KS. Treatments consisted of a single application of Prosaro, Caramba, Miravis Ace, Prosaro Pro, or Sphaerex at early anthesis (Feekes 10.5.1), or dual application of Miravis Ace at early anthesis followed by (fb) Prosaro Pro, Sphaerex, or Folicur at 4 days after early anthesis. All fungicide programs numerically reduced FHB visual symptoms and resulted in increased yield compared to the untreated check, although differences were not statistically significant in all cases. The double application treatments (Miravis Ace fb Prosaro Pro, and Miravis Ace fb Spharex) resulted in the highest increase in test weight. Miravis Ace applied at early anthesis fb Prosaro Pro applied at 4 days after early anthesis resulted in the lowest DON levels (79% less than the untreated check).

Registration of ‘NW13493’ hard white winter wheat

AbstractHistorically, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars developed by the cooperative University of Nebraska–USDA‐ARS wheat improvement project were hard red winter wheat. With the expanding hard white wheat market, there is a greater emphasis on developing hard white winter wheat lines adapted to the Great Plains. ‘NW13493’ (tested as NW13493) (Reg. no. CV‐1197, PI 699380) was selected for its white kernels, agronomic performance, relevant disease resistances, and end‐use quality and is adapted to the central Great Plains. NW13493 was licensed to Bay State Milling Company on the basis of its superior agronomic and end‐use quality performance and also the need to ensure hard white wheat growers have a known market for their grain. NW13493 hard white winter wheat was released in February 2021 by the developing institutions and the licensee. NW13493 was a selection in 2013 from the cross ‘SD98W175‐1’/‘NW03666’, which was made in 2007. The pedigree of SD98W175‐1 is ‘KS84273BB‐10’/‘KSSB110‐9’//’KS831374‐141B’/‘YE1110’/3/ ‘KS82W418’/‘Stephens’ and the pedigree of NW03666 is ‘N94S097KS’/‘NE93459’. The F1 generation was grown in the greenhouse in 2008, and the F2 to F3 generations were advanced as bulks at Mead, NE, in 2009–2010. NW13493 was evaluated in replicated trials beginning in 2014. It has excellent winter survival and agronomic performance, acceptable disease reactions to many of the common diseases in its target area, and good end‐use quality for bread making.

Registration of LCS ‘Valiant’ hard red winter wheat

AbstractHistorically cultivars developed jointly by the University of Nebraska‐Lincoln and USDA‐ARS wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) improvement project tend to be late and better adapted to the northern Great Plains. LCS ‘Valiant’ (Reg. no. CV‐1196, PI 693223; tested as NE10478‐1) was released based on the merits of its earliness, agronomic performance, relevant disease resistances, and end‐use quality characteristics and its adaptation to the central Great Plains. As such, the line was licensed to Limagrain Cereal Seeds for their ability to market outside of Nebraska. LCS Valiant hard red winter wheat was released in March 2020 by the developing institutions and the licensee. NE10478‐1 was a selection in 2011 for uniformity and grain yield from NE10478, which was derived from the cross NI03418/‘Camelot’. The pedigree of NI03418 is W91‐248/NE95544 (=McVey 78015/NE88521)//‘Thunderbird’. The final cross of NE10478 was made in 2004. The F1 generation was grown in Yuma, AZ, in 2005, and the F2 to F3 generations were advanced as bulks at Mead, NE, in 2006–2007 or sent for Hessian fly resistance screening by the USDA. In 2007, single F3‐derived F4 rows were planted for selection. There was no further selection in NE10478 other than to remove off‐types thereafter until 2011 when heads were selected to increase uniformity. LCS Valiant was evaluated in replicated trials thereafter. It has excellent winter survival, acceptable reactions to many of the common diseases in its target area, and good end‐use quality for bread making.

Registration of the PI 173438/WA 8137 wheat doubled haploid mapping population

AbstractA doubled haploid mapping population was developed from a cross between the hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. subsp. aestivum) landrace PI 173438 and WA 8137, a soft white winter wheat breeding line developed by the Washington State University winter wheat breeding program in Pullman, WA. The PI 173438/WA 8137 (Reg. no. MP‐16, NSL 543858 MAP) population consists of 437 individuals, with 358 of these individuals used to identify quantitative trait loci associated with snow mold (Typhula spp.) tolerance in PI 173438. Genotypic information was gathered on these individuals using genotype‐by‐sequencing and processed using a pipeline developed by the USDA Eastern Regional Small Grains Genotyping Laboratory. Twenty‐three linkage groups covering the whole genome with groups for the long and short arms of chromosomes 3D and 7D were constructed using 4,029 single nucleotide polymorphisms from the sequenced individuals. Quantitative trait loci associated with snow mold tolerance and snow mold recovery attributed to PI 173438 were successfully identified in this population. PI 173438 has also been used to identify other traits associated with snow mold tolerance, such as freezing tolerance and carbohydrate reserves, and has been important in research investigating dwarf and common bunt. This population may continue to expand current knowledge in these areas, and, given the landrace status of PI 173438, the population may be useful in identifying other novel traits of interest.

Replacing fallow with field pea in wheat production systems across western Nebraska

AbstractIntegration of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) (FP) into dryland cropping systems has increased due to ecological and economic benefits, paired with a growing market for pea‐derived products. Challenges exist in the High Plains that limit the integration of crop rotations to replace fallow periods with FP in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)‐based systems. This experiment compares chemical summer fallow to FP in a fallow–wheat rotation at two locations in western Nebraska. Soil water content, soil fertility, N mineralization, FP yield, and subsequent hard red winter wheat (HWW) yields were recorded. Subsequent HWW yields were not different between crop sequences (P = .42). The interaction of site‐year with crop sequence explained the HWW yield differences (P = .0005), mostly due to precipitation variability among site‐years. Most soil parameters tested only showed a main effect of date due to temporal changes in soil nutrient cycling. Replacing summer fallow with FP resulted in reduced soil water content, however, that did not result in long‐term moisture deficiency due to crop sequence type. System annualized gross revenue was equal to or greater for 2 site‐years for FP compared with fallow, with an average increase of US$113.15 ha–1. Pea–wheat reduced annualized net losses in 1 site‐year by $70 ha–1 compared with fallow–wheat in the "average" pricing model. Among 3 site‐years and three pricing models, pea–wheat resulted in greater net profit or reduced net losses compared with fallow–wheat in 5 site‐year comparisons.

Registration of ‘Epoch’ hard red winter wheat

Abstract‘Epoch’ (Reg. no. CV‐1195, PI 699379) hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed cooperatively by the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station and the USDA‐ARS and released in February 2021 by the developing institutions. It was selected from the cross ‘Hitch’/NW03666. The pedigree of NW03666 is N94S097KS/NE93459. The cross was made in 2009. The F1 generation was grown in Yuma, AZ, in 2010, and the F2 to F3 generations were advanced using the bulk breeding method at Mead, NE, in 2010–2011 to 2011–2012. In 2012–2013, single F3‐derived F4 rows were planted for selection. From 2015 on, Epoch was tested under rainfed or irrigated conditions in single replicate trials with replicated checks (2015) and in replicated alpha lattice trials (2015–2020). There was no further selection in Epoch other than to remove off‐types thereafter. Epoch was selected using both phenotypic and genomic selection for its ability to survive the winter, short stature with strong straw strength, agronomic performance under irrigation, resistance to diseases, and end‐use quality. Epoch seems to be narrowly adapted to irrigated production fields in Nebraska. The name Epoch was chosen because it marks the transition of leadership in the UNL Wheat breeding project from P. Stephen Baenziger to the new wheat breeder, Katherine A. Frels; hence, it marks the end of one era and the beginning of the next.

TAMFT-3A and TAMFT-3B2 homeologs are associated with wheat preharvest sprouting.

The phenomenon of preharvest sprouting (PHS), caused by rain after physiological maturity and prior to harvest, negatively affects wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production and end use. Investigating the genetics that control PHS resistance may result in increased control of seed dormancy. Multiple genes involved in the development of seed dormancy are associated with PHS. In this study, the TaMFT (3A, 3B1, 3B2, 3D), TaMKK3-4A, and TaVP1-3B genes were assessed for association with PHS in a double-haploid line (DHL) hard red winter wheat population derived from a BC1 cross between the cultivars Loma and Warhorse, where Loma was the recurrent and PHS susceptible parent. The 162 BC1 DHL lines were grown over two field seasons and PHS susceptibility was assessed by measuring PHS resistance in physiologically mature heads. The PHS variation was associated with the TaMFT-A and the B2 homeolog with Loma carrying mutant forms of each gene. No sequence variation between Loma and Warhorse was detected in the exons of the TaMFT-B1 and D homeologs. No association between PHS resistance and TaMKK3-4A or TaVp1-3B variation was observed, though Loma and Warhorse vary for TaMKK3-4A and TaVp1-3B mutations reported to be PHS associated. Previous research has shown TaMFT-3A as having a large impact on PHS resistance. In the current study, the TaMFT-3A and TaMFT-3B2 alleles each explained 14% of observed PHS variation. Markers for both TaMFT-3A and TaMFT-3B2 should be used in selecting for increased wheat dormancy and PHS resistance.

The impact of futures contract storage rate policy on convergence expectations in domestic commodity markets

Grain futures contracts that permit physical delivery do so through an exchange of delivery instruments. Because delivery instruments can be held indefinitely, extant research shows that futures contracts that assign inflexible and low storage rates relative to the market price of storage facilitate basis nonconvergence. In response to the notable episode of nonconvergence in the mid- to late-2000s, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group introduced variable storage rate (VSR) policies in the soft red winter (SRW) wheat and hard red winter (HRW) wheat markets. In contrast, CME Group did not introduce a VSR to corn and soybean markets but chose to increase their fixed storage fees in 2008 and later in 2020. We study convergence performance for each of these markets from 2006 to 2020 and show that flexible storage fee policies like the VSR reduce the magnitude and therefore, the expected duration of nonconvergence in wheat markets. On the other hand, we do not find evidence that CME Group’s higher fixed storage rates likewise reduce the expected duration of nonconvergence episodes in corn and soybean markets—although perhaps not enough time has passed to evaluate the effectiveness of the most recent changes—or that index trader activity causes basis nonconvergence. Our empirical investigation also makes an implicit case for the introduction of market-based pricing platforms, such as commodity exchanges, in commodity-dependent developing countries.

Durum wheat Teosinte Branched1 null mutations increase tillering

AbstractWheat (Triticum spp.) yield is increased by either producing and testing variants of yield‐limiting genes or crossing to create new allelic combinations. Tiller number and seeds per tiller influence wheat yield, and both are impacted by the Teosinte Branched1 (TB1) gene. We screened 16 hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, 15 hard red winter wheat cultivars and lines, and 10 durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) van Slageren] cultivars and lines commonly grown in Montana and found several previously reported TB1 missense alleles along with one new silent and a missense TB1‐A1 allele among the 16 hard red spring wheat cultivars but no TB1 null alleles. Among the 10 durum cultivars, five carried a TB1‐B1‐S184G missense allele and all winter wheat cultivars carried wild‐type TB1 alleles. To determine the impact of TB1 null alleles, this study examined durum wheat genotypes varying for TB1 null alleles created by ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis. The goal was to determine the impact of TB1 null alleles on tillering, agronomic, and seed traits. The impact of TB1 null alleles was studied alone and together in field trials. The TB1 single‐ and double‐null mutants produced up to 15% more tillers and 18% with positive trends toward increased plant biomass. The results of this research demonstrate that the integration of EMS‐derived TB1 null alleles may prove useful in increasing small‐grain tillering to optimize plant biomass and yield under different growing conditions.