Red Winter Wheat Research Articles

Accelerated senescence and nitrogen remobilization in flag leaves enhance nitrogen use efficiency in soft red winter wheat

ABSTRACT Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production requires a large amount of nitrogen (N) supply because growers aim to achieve high grain yield and appropriate grain protein content simultaneously. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that underpin efficient N usage at limited N in wheat can facilitate the development of new N-saving varieties in this major crop. Here, we performed comparative analysis of flag leaf responses to N availability in soft red winter wheat with contrasting N use efficiency (NUE); VA08MAS-369 (high NUE) and VA07W-415 (low NUE). This study demonstrated that accelerated senescence along with enhanced breakdown of protein and starch in flag leaves was correlated with higher grain yield, NUE for grain yield, and NUE for grain protein under N limitation. The more dramatic reductions in flag leaf N compounds and carbohydrate reserves in VA08MAS-369 were linked with significantly elevated expression of genes and enzymes associated with these metabolic pathways in this high NUE genotype. Consistent with the gene expression data, nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase, and NAD-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase activities were highly induced under limited N in VA08MAS-369. It was previously reported that accelerated senescence contributes to increased grain protein content in wheat under regular N supply. This study provides molecular and physiological evidence that vigorous senescence and N remobilization also benefit grain yield under N deprivation.

Predicting Particle Separation and Sieve Blinding During Wheat Flour Sifting

HighlightsWheat flour cohesion was modeled using the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) contact model.The size-based separation was highly influenced by particle size, particle roughness, cohesion, and sieve opening size.Sieve blinding happened at 15.25 and 10.32 s of sieving for hard red winter (HRW) and soft red winter (SRW) wheat flour particles, respectively.Abstract. Sifting or size-based separation of flour particles is an important operation in the wheat milling process. During the separation process, the flour particles often behave as imperfect solids with discontinuous flow and tend to form agglomerates due to interparticle cohesion. Interparticle cohesion in flours is highly dependent on the particle physical and chemical parameters and influences the sieving process. This study presents the development of a discrete element method (DEM) model to predict the size-based separation of wheat flours at 10% and 14% moisture contents (wet basis). DEM models of the size-based separation process were developed using the Hertz-Mindlin contact model. To account for the interparticle cohesion, the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) model was coupled with the contact model. The size-based separation of hard red winter (HRW) and soft red winter (SRW) wheat flours was simulated and then validated using lab-scale experiments. Both the modeling and experimental approaches indicated that the percent particle separation was higher in the sieves with larger openings. Particle size, roughness, and cohesion affected the size-based separation in sieves with smaller openings. The model simulation results for the percent mass retained on the screens and the sieve blinding time were comparable with the experimental results. The standard error of prediction (SEP) ranged from 0.13 to 8.27, which indicates that this approach will be useful to predict the size-based separation of cohesive fine particles. The developed model will also be useful to estimate the sieve blinding time during sifting processes. Keywords: Cohesion, Johnson-Kendall-Roberts model, Sifting, Wheat milling.

‘Gallagher’ and ‘Iba’ hard red winter wheat: Half‐sibs inseparable by yield gain, separable by producer preference

AbstractCornerstone cultivars earn their status as much by their genetic fortitude and successive progeny as by their own visibility. ‘Duster’ hard red winter (HRW) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) established a foundation of yield potential, pest resistance, and baking quality on which two half‐sib progenies named ‘Gallagher’ (Reg. no. CV‐1177, PI 667569) and ‘Iba’ (Reg. no. CV‐1178, PI 667570) were released by the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station in 2012 and subsequently assumed significant commercial hectares in the U.S. southern plains. Our objectives were to characterize and compare Gallagher and Iba with their parent Duster for a wide array of agronomic, end‐use quality, and wheat sensitivity traits. Bulked descendants of sister F4:5 lines, Gallagher and Iba were tested as experimental lines OK07214 and OK07209, respectively. In one breeding cycle, they showed an 8% yield gain in grain‐only environments, with 10–17% increases in kernel weight, divergent wheat protein responses, unidirectional responses in total fructan content, and wide bidirectional responses in flour levels of immunotoxic gluten epitopes. Both cultivars remain excellent sources of yield potential and functionality, yet their ultimate adoption histories did not align with institutional expectations at the time of release. This retrospective analysis provides a non‐abstract reminder worthwhile for any agent of wheat improvement: wheat producers may exercise cultivar choice on seemingly modest characteristics but with yield‐equivalent precedence.

Recovery Plan for Wheat Blast Caused by Magnaporthe oryzae Pathotype Triticum

Wheat blast is an explosive new fungal disease of wheat caused by an Magnaporthe oryzae (synonym of Pyricularia oryzae) host-adapted subpopulation, the M. oryzae Triticum pathotype (MoT). MoT has been found in South America, South Asia, and Africa, but not in the United States. Wheat blast caused by the MoT fungus was first reported in Brazil in 1985 and subsequently spread to Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina in the 1990s and 2000s. The disease first appeared in Bangladesh in 2016 and in Zambia in 2017. The MoT fungus is seedborne, and the most likely route for movement across oceans was though grain trade. Wheat head (spike) blast is the predominant form of the disease in the field, although foliar and stem blast also occurs. The disease has proven hard to control when weather conditions are conducive, often resulting in devastating yield and quality losses. The only currently effective resistance, contained in the 2NvS translocation from the wild wheat relative Aegilops ventricosa, confers partial resistance that is variable depending on the genetic background of the specific wheat variety. Fungicides are not fully effective in controlling wheat head blast if warm, humid weather occurs during the heading stage. A major disease management strategy in areas where the disease occurs involves timing the wheat planting date so that heading does not coincide with warm rainy weather. A climate suitability model for the United States indicates that all of U.S. soft red winter wheat and about half of the hard red winter wheat are at risk.

Soft red winter wheat ‘GA 051207‐14E53’: Adapted cultivar to Georgia and the U.S. Southeast region

AbstractSoft red winter wheat (SRWW) (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major crop in Georgia and the U.S. Southeast (SE) region. Hence, new cultivars with high yield potential, high resistance levels to predominant pests, and adequate quality parameters are required to capture and maximize regional market values. Therefore, the University of Georgia SRWW breeding program in collaboration with the SUNGRAINS breeding programs, aims to develop and release SRWW cultivars adapted to Georgia and the SE wheat region with high yield, quality, and pest resistance. ‘GA 051207‐14E53’ SRWW (Reg. no. CV‐1168, PI 689518) was developed and released by the University of Georgia and licensed to AGSouth Genetics Company in 2017 under the name AGS 3040. GA 051207‐14E53 is well adapted to Georgia and the SE region. It has high yield and high resistance to leaf rust, stripe rust, and Soil‐borne wheat mosaic virus. It has medium resistance to powdery mildew and to biotypes C and O of Hessian fly and is resistant to biotypes B and L. GA 051207‐14E53 has good Fusarium head blight resistance. GA 051207‐14E53 possesses H9, Sbm1, and the 2NS:2AS alien introgression from Aegilops ventricosa Tausch, having the Yr17/Lr37/Sr38 genes that protect it against these pests. Grain volume weight and milling and baking qualities of GA 051207‐14E53 are good and meet the SRWW grade standards.

Double‐crop soybean management practices for high yield and profitability

AbstractDouble‐crop soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production in Kentucky involves planting soybean after soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) harvest during June and July. Double‐crop soybean yields are lower than full‐season soybean yield planted earlier in the spring. This research aimed to determine the effect of seeding rate, seed treatment, and applying foliar fungicide and insecticide at the R3 growth stage at two planting timings on double‐crop soybean seed yield, yield components, and seed quality. Field trials were established in Princeton, KY, in 2017, 2018, and 2019 after wheat harvest. Planting double‐crop soybean early, after wheat was harvested at 20 to 22% grain moisture, resulted in increased seed yield, seeds ft–2, and protein concentration compared with double‐crop soybean planted later. A seeding rate of 225,000 seeds acre–1 resulted in increased seed yield, seeds ft–2, and seed protein concentration compared with 150,000 seeds acre–1. A seed treatment including fungicides and an insecticide did not impact seed yield, yield components, or seed protein or oil concentration compared with no seed treatment. Applying a prophylactic foliar fungicide and insecticide treatment at the R3 growth stage increased seed yield and seed mass compared with an economic threshold application. In addition, the most intensive management (225,000 seeds acre–1, seed treatment, and prophylactic fungicide and insecticide) yielded ∼25% more than the base treatment and had more seeds ft–2. The results are the first to indicate the potential for intensive management practices to increase double‐crop soybean productivity in Kentucky.

Registration of ‘GA06343‐13E2 (TX‐EL2)’ soft red winter wheat

Abstract‘GA06343‐13E2 (TX‐EL2)’ (Reg. no. CV‐1172, PI 695071), a medium‐height, medium‐maturing soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (SRWW), was jointly released by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the University of Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station in 2019. GA06343‐13E2 (TX‐EL2) was released based on merits of its wide area of adaptation and above‐average grain yield in Texas in particular and the Gulf Atlantic SRWW growing areas in general, in addition to average grain volume weight, good leaf rust and stripe rust resistance, and good end‐use quality characteristics. GA06343‐13E2 (TX‐EL2) was derived from the cross GA011638‐G1/GA961592‐8//GA991336‐47 made at the University of Georgia. The pedigree of GA011638‐G1 is GA01034 (‘AGS 2000’*3/96667)/AGS 2000. The pedigrees of GA961592‐8 and GA991336‐47 are GA951329 (GA88129‐32‐3‐5/GA87467‐14‐1‐14‐1)/GA88127‐1‐3‐3 and GA92432‐21‐5‐2/GA981622 [AGS 2000/Pioneer ‘26R61’ (XW663)], respectively. Authorized seed classes of GA06343‐13E2 (TX‐EL2) in the United States will be breeder, foundation, registered, and certified. We will submit GA06343‐13E2 (TX‐EL2) for U.S. Plant Variety Protection with the certification option.

Freeze symptoms and associated yield loss in soft red winter wheat

AbstractIn the soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growing regions of the eastern United States, midwinter warm temperatures have accelerated wheat development, exposing wheat that has transitioned to reproductive stages to cold temperatures during late spring. The objectives of this diagnostic guide were to: (a) provide images depicting freeze injury and (b) provide estimates of grain yield and straw biomass reduction in response to low temperature at the Feekes 6, 8, and 10.5.1 growth stages of soft red winter wheat. Wheat plants were transplanted from the field into pots at each the Feekes growth stage and placed into freeze chambers with temperature treatments ranging from 3 to 39 °F. Plants were then placed in an open‐air greenhouse and grown to the completion of grain filling. Grain and biomass yield were evaluated and modeled across temperature treatments within each growth stage. Small temperature differences resulted in large differences in yield. At the Feekes 6 growth stage, grain yield was reduced by 10% at 17.9 °F and 25% at 14.8 °F. At the Feekes 8 growth stage, grain yield was reduced by 10% at 27.6 °F and by 25% at 24.6 °F. At the Feekes 10.5.1 growth stage, grain yield was reduced by 10% at 27.8 °F and by 25% at 26.3 °F. Our guidelines provide estimates for potential reductions in grain yield associated with low temperatures. However, scouting fields approximately 2 wk after the freeze event (and after active growth has resumed) is important, as there are microclimates within fields.

Registration of ‘KS Western Star’ hard red winter wheat

Abstract‘KS Western Star’ (Reg. no. CV‐1174, PI 693935) hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed by the wheat breeding program at the Agricultural Research Center–Hays, Kansas State University, and released by the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station in 2019. KS Western Star was developed with the objectives to further improve drought tolerance, straw strength, and multiple disease resistance of currently available cultivars for western Kansas. KS Western Star was selected from a single cross ‘Byrd’/KS05HW121‐2 made in 2009. KS Western Star was developed as an F6–derived line using a modified bulk breeding method and was evaluated in yield trials from 2014 to 2019. It has medium maturity, medium height, and high grain volume weight, as well as high flour yield and good bread‐making quality. KS Western Star has good adaption to semi‐arid areas in western Kansas with its drought tolerance, stripe rust and leaf rust resistance, and improved lodging resistance.

Registration of ‘KS Dallas’ hard red winter wheat

Abstract‘KS Dallas’ (Reg. no. CV‐1173, PI 693934) hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed by the wheat breeding program at the Agricultural Research Center–Hays, Kansas State University, and released by the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station in 2019. KS Dallas was selected from a three‐way cross KS08HW112‐6//TX03A0148/Danby TR made in 2009 at Hays, KS. The objective of this cross was to develop a hard winter wheat cultivar with adaptation to dryland production in western Kansas. KS Dallas was developed using a modified bulk breeding method. KS Dallas is an F6‐derived line and was tested in yield trials across Kansas for 4 yr. KS Dallas has medium maturity, medium height, and a medium‐long coleoptile. It has high grain yield potential in western Kansas and good resistance to the prevalent diseases including Wheat streak mosaic virus and leaf rust. It also has good bread‐making quality.

Changes in phenolic profiles and antioxidant activities during the whole wheat bread-making process

Health benefits of whole wheat products are partially attributed to their unique phenolic profiles. This study investigated the effect of bread-making processes on the phenolic profiles and antioxidant activities of four different varieties of hard red winter wheat. The fermentation process generally increased soluble phenolic content, flavonoid content, antioxidant activities, and soluble ferulic acid of whole wheat products. The baking process increased the soluble phenolic content and antioxidant activities. Some phenolic acids were incorporated into Maillard reaction products during baking. For the insoluble fraction, fermentation and baking slightly increased phenolic content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities of certain wheat varieties. Ferulic acid and isomers of di-ferulic acid (DFA) were not significantly affected by the baking process. Overall, the bread-making process demonstrated positive effects on the potential health benefits of whole wheat products.

Identifying functional characteristics of soft white wheat for saltine crackers

AbstractBackground and objectivesSoft red winter (SRW) wheat has been traditionally used in the manufacture of cookie and cracker products in Latin America; however, in some years SRW has experienced a supply shortage due to poor planting and/or crop conditions. Therefore, the demand for soft white wheat (SWH) for such products is increasing in Latin American markets, but buyers have been uncertain as to appropriate SWH contract specifications as SWH functions differently from SRW in cracker products. The objective of this study was to identify the optimal grain protein level and flour specifications of SWH for saltine crackers. SWH blends of varying grain protein contents from 8.7% to 12.5% were used to make saltine crackers. Flour solvent retention capacity (SRC), gluten and dough characteristics, and cracker‐baking performance were evaluated.FindingsThe sodium carbonate SRC increased from 71.9% to 75.0%, sucrose SRC from 83.4% to 94.2%, and lactic acid SRC from 98.0% to 113.3% as SWH protein content increased from 8.7% to 12.5%. Dough concurrently became more extensible (L: 109.0–143.0 mm) and deformation energy (W: 91.5–133.5 (10−4 J)) increased with higher protein content, especially in the range of 10.5%–12.5%. Cracker stack height (6.65–7.10 cm), stack height‐to‐weight ratio (0.196–0.210), and texture (breaking force: 1,934.9–3,158.2 g) gradually increased with increasing protein levels. The flour lactic acid SRC and dough rheological parameters (measured by Farinograph, Alveograph, and GlutoPeak) were significantly correlated with the cracker stack height‐to‐weight ratio and texture.ConclusionsSWH of grain protein content of 10.5%–11.6% had intermediate lactic acid SRC and dough strength that produced saltine crackers with appropriate stack height (6.95–7.10 cm) and desirable texture (2,172.9–2,473.8 g).Significance and noveltyThis research identified the SWH functionalities for saltine crackers and provided an initial starting point for Latin America and other buyers, millers, and bakers to better utilize SWH for cracker manufacturing.

A novel adult plant leaf rust resistance gene Lr2K38 mapped on wheat chromosome 1AL.

Soft red winter wheat (SRWW) cultivar AGS 2038 has a high level of seedling and adult plant leaf rust (LR) resistance. To map and characterize LR resistance in AGS 2038, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population consisting of 225 lines was developed from a cross between AGS 2038 and moderately resistant line UGA 111729. The parents and RIL population were phenotyped for LR response in three field environments at Plains and Griffin, GA, in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 growing seasons, one greenhouse environment at the adult-plant stage, and at seedling stage. The RIL population was genotyped with the Illumina iSelect 90K SNP marker array, and a total of 7667 polymorphic markers representing 1513 unique loci were used to construct a linkage map. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis detected six QTL, QLr.ags-1AL, QLr.ags-2AS, QLr.ags-2BS1, QLr.ags-2BS2, QLr.ags-2BS3, and QLr.ags-2DS, for seedling and adult plant LR resistance. Of these, the major adult plant leaf rust resistance QTL, QLr.ags-1AL, was detected on all field and greenhouse adult plant tests and explained up to 34.45% of the phenotypic variation. QLr.ags-1AL, tightly flanked by IWB20487 and IWA4022 markers, was contributed by AGS 2038. Molecular marker analysis using a diagnostic marker linked to Lr59 showed that QLr.ags-1AL was different from Lr59, the only known LR resistance gene on 1AL. Therefore, the QTL was temporarily designated as Lr2K38. Lr2K38-linked marker IWB20487 was highly polymorphic among 30 SRWW lines and should be useful for selecting the Lr2K38 in wheat breeding programs.

Registration of ‘Scorpio’ hard red winter wheat

AbstractRecent changes in the environment and crop management practices of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States have challenged the development of successful hard red winter (HRW) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars for the >500‐mm annual precipitation zones of the eastern part of the state of Washington. The use of N fertilizer and an increase in no‐till production practices have led to decreases in soil pH that can be toxic to wheat, especially in soils derived from previously forested land. The objective of this research was to develop a HRW wheat cultivar that combined tolerance to low‐pH soils with other important traits such as high yield, high grain volume weight, high grain protein concentration, acceptable end‐use quality, winterhardiness, and stripe rust resistance. ‘Scorpio’ (Reg. no. CV‐1169, PI 693629) HRW wheat was developed and released in March 2019 by the Agricultural Research Center of Washington State University. Scorpio was tested under the experimental designations HRW11064‐1‐DH‐1‐4 and WA8268. Scorpio is a semi‐dwarf cultivar adapted to the high‐rainfall wheat production regions of Washington. Scorpio is tolerant to low‐pH soils, has high‐temperature adult‐plant resistance to stripe rust, and has a midseason heading date, high grain volume weight, high grain protein concentration, and high grain yield. Scorpio has end‐use quality properties comparable to those of ‘LCS Jet’, ‘Keldin’, and ‘Whetstone’, which are acceptable for both domestic and export markets.

First Report of Fusarium armeniacum Causing Fusarium Head Blight on Soft Red Winter Wheat in Illinois.

In the summer of 2016, while surveying the diversity of the Fusarium head blight (FHB) causal agent on soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) in Illinois, we identified hundreds of naturally infected plants in five locations. Samples with characteristic symptoms of FHB (bleaching, accompanied by pink/white mycelium) were collected one to three weeks after anthesis. The collected glumes and developing kernels were surface sterilized and plated on sterile media. Single conidia isolates were derived for further work. All isolates were deposited to the USDA-ARS Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit in Peoria, IL. Among the collection, isolate CMR105 showed characteristics of F. armeniacum growing on PDA with abundant white mycelia and pigments of orange to pink (Suppl. Figure 1B). The CMR105 macroconidia were prominently curved, long, and tapering with a distinct foot shape typical of F. armeniacum (Leslie and Summerell, 2006). CMR105 conidia were produced quickly and abundantly compared to typical isolates such as BMR001, which were rare and slow-growing. The translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α), RNA polymerase 2 (RPB2), β-tubulin, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genes were sequenced from selected isolates, including CMR105. The resulting DNA sequences were trimmed and aligned using blast on the Fusarium ID database and NCBI's nr database. For all the genes, isolate CMR105 had a 99% or higher similarity to multiple F. armeniacum accessions (Suppl. Table 1). We then conducted a phylogenetic analysis using the DNA sequences of three concatenated genes (RPB2, β-tubulin, and ITS). A maximum likelihood tree supported that isolate CMR105 is F. armeniacum (Suppl. Figure 1E). Koch's postulates were carried out in greenhouse experiments on spring wheat cultivar 'Norm'. At anthesis, a spore suspension of 5 x 104 spores per ml was injected into the central spikelet of wheat heads. Three plants were inoculated per isolate and a mock control consisting of water. The inoculated plants were placed into a mist chamber for 48 hours. Symptoms consisting of premature bleaching of multiple spikelets and pink/white coloration were observed one-week post-inoculation. No symptoms were observed on the control. Two weeks post-inoculation, kernels from the wheat heads were collected, surface sterilized with 10% bleach, and plated on PDA. The recovered isolates showed similar colony morphology to the inoculum. Similar results were obtained on field inoculations on soft red winter wheat. F. armeniacum has been reported from the United States, Australia, South Africa, China, and Argentina (Kommedahl et al., 1979; Nichea et al., 2015). To date, F. armeniacum has been reported to cause seed and root rot on soybeans, has been recovered from asymptomatic corn, and more commonly found as a soil saprophyte (Ellis et al., 2012; Leslie and Summerell, 2006; Nichea et al., 2015). We have shown here for the first time that F. armeniacum also causes FHB on wheat in Illinois. In both field and greenhouse assays, our F. armeniacum strain was less aggressive than F. graminearum strains. Recently, F. armeniacum was reported to cause FHB on emmer and spring wheat in New York (Fulcher and Bergstrom, 2020). It is important to note that many species of the genus Fusarium cause FHB. In this report, we show evidence that F. armeniacum is another causal agent of FHB in Illinois and warrants further study and surveillance.

Identification and validation of Fusarium head blight resistance QTL in the U.S. soft red winter wheat cultivar ‘Jamestown’

AbstractUse of genetic resistance is one of the most important strategies to manage the devastating disease Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat. Numerous quantitative trait loci (QTL) having varying effects on reducing FHB and the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation have been reported from Asian, European, or distant sources such as wild relatives of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, coming from nonadapted backgrounds, the incorporation of such QTL into regional breeding programs has often resulted in the simultaneous transfer of other undesirable traits. Therefore, it is important to identify, characterize, and deploy sources of genetic resistance that do not suffer from poor adaptability and/or linkage drag. In the present work, QTL associated with FHB resistance in a high‐yielding, moderately resistant soft red winter wheat cultivar ‘Jamestown’ were mapped and validated. The QTL mapping was done using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of Pioneer ‘25R47’ × Jamestown having 186 individuals. Phenotyping over 2 yr at three locations, and genotyping using the 90K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) platform identified two new QTL, named QFHB.vt‐1B.1 and QFHB.vt‐1B.2, on the chromosome 1B long arm. The QTL contributed to FHB incidence, FHB severity, Fusarium‐damaged kernels, and DON content. Independent mapping of these QTL using two additional RIL populations of FG95195 × Jamestown (170 RILs) and Jamestown × LA97113UC‐124 (77 RILs) validated their stability and effectiveness in different genetic backgrounds. Kompetitive allele specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) assays were developed using linked SNPs for marker‐assisted selection of the QTL. These QTL are being used in breeding programs to develop FHB‐resistant, high‐yielding varieties.

Vacuum steam treatment of soft wheat: Quality and reduction of Escherichia coli O121 and Salmonella Enteritidis PT30

AbstractBackground and objectivesSeveral foodborne outbreaks due to contaminated wheat flour have occurred, resulting in a need for a microbial reduction process. Thermal treatments utilizing high temperatures can compromise wheat end‐use quality. Vacuum steam treatment (VST) is a promising method for reducing pathogens on wheat. This study determined the pathogen inactivation levels on soft red winter (SRW) wheat while maintaining flour functionality.FindingsSoft red winter wheat samples underwent VST for 4 and 8 min at 65, 75, and 85°C prior to milling. SRW flour was evaluated for end‐product quality. Increasing VST temperatures negatively impacted bread quality due to protein denaturation. Cake and cookie quality parameters resulted in little to no significant (p < .05) difference with increasing VST temperatures. SRW wheat was also inoculated with Escherichia coli O121 and Salmonella Enteritidis PT30. The treatments resulted in a maximum average microbial reduction of 5.09 ± 0.50 log CFU/g for Salmonella and 7.34 ± 0.11 log CFU/g for E. coli.ConclusionsVacuum steam treatment could be used by the milling industry to effectively inactive pathogens without compromising soft wheat flour quality.Significance and noveltyVacuum steam treatment process could improve the safety of wheat flour‐based products without adding chemical treatments and while maintaining flour quality.

Registration of ‘Hilliard’ wheat

Abstract‘Hilliard’ (Reg. no. CV‐1163, PI 676271), a soft red winter (SRW) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) developed and tested as VA11W‐108 by the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, was released in March 2015. Hilliard was derived from the cross ‘25R47’/‘Jamestown’. Hilliard is widely adapted, from Texas to Ontario, Canada, and provides producers with a mid‐season, medium height, awned, semi‐dwarf (Rht2) cultivar that has very high yield potential, good straw strength, and intermediate grain volume weight and quality. It expresses moderate to high levels of resistance to most diseases prevalent in the eastern United States and Ontario. In the 2016–2018 USDA‐ARS Uniform SRW Wheat nurseries, Hilliard ranked first in grain yield in the southern nursery across all 3 yr (5,147–5,758 kg ha−1). In the uniform eastern nursery, it ranked first for grain yield in 2016 (6,159 kg ha−1) and 2017 (5,633 kg ha−1) and second in 2018 (5,515 kg ha−1). Grain volume weights of Hilliard were similar to overall trial averages in the uniform southern (73.4–75.2 kg hl−1) and eastern (70–75.8 kg hl−1) nurseries. Hilliard has soft grain texture with flour softness equivalent values varying from 58.1 to 61.7 g 100 g−1. Straight grade flour yields on a Quadrumat Senior mill varied from 66.8 to 68.4 g kg−1. Flour protein concentration varied from 7.0 to 9.1 g 100 g−1 and gluten strength from 108 to 128 g 100 g−1, as measured by lactic acid solvent retention capacity. Cookie spread diameter varied from 18.3 to 18.6 cm.

Registration of ‘NE10589’ (Husker Genetics Brand Ruth) hard red winter wheat

AbstractWith climate variation common in the U.S. Great Plains and particularly in Nebraska, wheat growers prefer broadly adapted cultivars. ‘NE10589’ (Reg. no. CV‐1165, PI 675998) hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed cooperatively by the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station and the USDA–ARS and released in January 2015 by the developing institutions. NE10589 was released primarily as a broadly adapted semi‐dwarf cultivar for its superior performance under rainfed conditions throughout Nebraska and adjacent areas of the Great Plains. Its broad adaptation ensures that it will perform well under the typical environmental fluctuations that occur in Nebraska. NE10589 was selected from the cross ‘OK98697’/‘Jagalene’//‘Camelot’, where the pedigree of OK98697 is ‘TAM 200’/‘HBB313E’//‘2158’. The F2 to F3 generations were advanced using the bulk breeding method at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead, NE, in 2006–2007. In 2007–2008, single F3:4 head rows were grown for selection. There was no further selection within the line thereafter. The F3:5 was evaluated as a single four‐row plot at Lincoln, NE, and a single row at Mead, NE, in 2009. In 2010, it was assigned the experimental line number NE10589. NE10589 was evaluated in replicated trials thereafter. It has excellent winter survival, acceptable disease reactions to many of the common diseases in its target area, and acceptable end‐use quality for bread making.

Registration of ‘Flathead’ hard red winter wheat

Abstract‘Flathead’ (Reg. no. CV‐1164, PI 693237) hard red winter (HRW) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed and released by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station in 2019. Flathead was derived from a composite of two very closely related single crosses of the predominant cultivar ‘Yellowstone’ to stripe rust resistant source PI 640431, a hard white spring wheat backcross derivative of WA007900 that carries stripe rust all‐stage resistance genes Yr5 and Yr15. Flathead was developed using a modified bulk breeding method and selected as an F5:6 head row after phenotypic selection for stripe rust resistance at Kalispell, MT. Flathead was tested under the experimental number MT1564 in Montana yield trials from 2015 to 2019. Flathead is a high‐yielding HRW wheat cultivar with early maturity, short stature, medium grain protein concentration, excellent milling and baking quality, and a high level of all‐stage resistance to predominant races of stripe rust. Flathead was released for its early maturity, improved stripe rust resistance, and improved grain yield relative to other Montana‐adapted early heading cultivars.