Wheat Research Articles

Optimizing yield and irrigation water productivity of wheat under Sahel conditions in North East Nigeria

Unsustainable irrigation practices are a major threat to the available water resources and food security of the country. This research was conducted to determine the optimal wheat grain yield and water productivity (WP) under limited irrigation practices for the enhanced livelihood of small farmer holdings in the Sahel region of northeast, Nigeria. The research was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement and replicated three times. The main plot treatment was 7 (I1), 10 (I2), and 14(I3) days irrigation intervals, while the subplot factor was 100 (V1), 85 (V2), and 70% (V3), of crop water requirement (ETc) replacement. The cropWat model was used to determine the crop water requirement (ETc) of the wheat (var. Norman) used in the research. The findings indicated that a 7-day irrigation interval increased grain yield by 20.18 over a 10-day irrigation interval and by 63.10% over 14-day irrigation intervals. Grain yield was found to decrease by 44.80 and 747.25kgHa-1 respectively for 85 and 70% ETc replacement irrigations from full ETc replacement irrigation. Crop water use efficiency was higher and better (0.74 mm-kg/ha) with I1V2 irrigation treatment for wheat and saved 11.55.50 m3 irrigation water over other irrigation schedules. It is recommended that 7 7-day irrigation interval be maintained, while irrigation depth can be reduced by up to 15% for optimum water productivity.

A Mixture of Summer Legume and Nonlegume Cover Crops Enhances Winter Wheat Yield, Nitrogen Uptake, and Nitrogen Balance

Cover crops protecting soil erosion during the summer fallow in the monsoon weather may enhance dryland winter wheat yield and N relations. We examined the effects of four summer cover crops (soybean (Glycine max L., SB), sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense {Piper} Stapf, SG), soybean and sudangrass mixture (SS), and no cover crop (CK)) and three N fertilization rates (0, 60, and 120 kg N ha−1) on winter wheat yield, quality, and N relations from 2017–2018 to 2020–2021 in the Loess Plateau of China. Cover crop biomass and N accumulation, soil mineral N, and winter wheat yield, protein concentration, and N uptake were greater for SB and SS than other cover crops at most N fertilization rates and years. The N fertilization rate had variable effects on these parameters. Winter wheat aboveground biomass and grain N productivities were greater for CK than other cover crops at all N fertilization rates and years. Nitrogen balance was greater for SS than other cover crops at 60 and 120 kg N ha−1 in all years. The SS with 120 kg N ha−1 can enhance soil mineral N, winter wheat yield and quality, and N balance compared to CK and SG with or without N fertilization rates.

The accumulation and properties of starch are associated with the development of nutrient transport tissues at grain positions in the spikelet of wheat.

A wheat spikelet accumulates several grains, which show significant positional effects in terms of size, weight, and material accumulation. However, few studies have investigated whether starch accumulation in these grains is related to the development of vascular bundles. This study analyzed the correlation between the morphology of vascular bundles and starch accumulation. The area of nutrient transport tissues in G1 and G2 was greater than that in G3 and G4. The proportion of A-type starch granules in G3 and G4 was significantly greater than that in G1 and G2, with the greatest proportion of C-type starch granules occurring in G2. The short-order structure of the starch granules in G1 was more developed than that in the other samples, and the crystalline region in G2 was the greatest. The area of the nucellar projection and vascular bundle was positively correlated with C- or B-type starch granules but negatively correlated with A-type starch granules and swelling power. The area of wall ingrowth was positively correlated with the proportion of branch chains (DP 25-36 and DP 37-100), and negatively correlated with the starch content. The above results indicate that the developmental status of the vascular bundles in the wheat grains controls the accumulation, composition, and characteristics of starch in the endosperm. The novelty of this study lies in elucidating the grain position effect on starch accumulation in wheat grains. This provides a new perspective for agricultural production, aiming to enhance the accumulation of carbohydrates in inferior grains, thereby facilitating their transformation into superior grains.

Book Review: Unless a Grain of Wheat: A Story of Friendship between African Independent Churches and North American Mennonites

Book Review: Unless a Grain of Wheat: A Story of Friendship between African Independent Churches and North American Mennonites

Energy and nutrient digestibility and effect of increasing the dietary inclusion of hull-less oats replacing wheat grain on growth performance of weanling pigs

Energy and nutrient digestibility and effect of increasing the dietary inclusion of hull-less oats replacing wheat grain on growth performance of weanling pigs

Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for dichlorprop-P in cereal grains.

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Nufarm Crop Products UK Ltd. submitted a request to the competent national authority in Italy to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance dichlorprop-P in barley, oat, rye and wheat grain. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for these cereal grains. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of dichlorprop-P in the commodities under consideration at the validated limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 mg/kg and in animal matrices at the validated LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg. Based on the risk assessment results, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that the short-term and long-term intake of residues resulting from the use of dichlorprop-P-2-ethylhexyl (dichlorprop-P 2-EHE) according to the reported agricultural practices is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health.

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.

Effect of Trichoderma harzianum in the Protection of Wheat Grains from Infestation with Rhyzopertha dominica (Fab) During the Store

Abstract: Currently, the economic losses generated by the attack of pests on the storages constitute a severe problem. Conventional grain protection methods based on the application of chemical pesticides to control these undesirable insects have also formed to represent an annoyance since the excessive usage of these compounds is linked to contamination problems and serious harm to consumers' health. This research aims to possibility of creating a means to protect the grain stores from infestation with Rhyzopertha dominica through testing for the efficiency of Trichoderma harzianum with three concentrations (7x104, 7x106, 7x108 and spores /ml) in the protection of grains in jute sacks from infection by this pest after three months of storage period and the effect of T. harzianumon . The results showed that the high efficiency of T. harzianumon in protecting the grain stores from infestation by these insect sacks was measured when treated in the bags with the highest concentration of 7x108 spores/ml of fungi, and the total weight loss was 2.0269. while the control treatment gave 6.4012-gram weight losses. also shows the total weight loss was 4.054 when the grains were treated with the highest concentration of 7x108 spores/ml of fungus. in contrast to 8.0629-gram weight decreases with the control treatment. and treated the bags and grains with 7x108 spores/ml of fungi, the total percentage of weight losses was 1.7033 after three months from storage. while the control treatment gave 11.475 grams of weight loss.

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.

Productivity and energetics of basmati rice-wheat cropping systems under different farming conditions in northwest India

ABSTRACT Basmati rice-wheat cropping systems have the potential to upscale organic agriculture in India because of the lower nutritional requirements and the geographical indication status of basmati rice. The energetics of organic production of basmati rice-wheat needs to be assessed to delineate its efficiency as compared with conventional production. An experiment with different management systems was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana, Punjab, India during 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons to assess the productivity, economics and energetics of this cropping system in different organic and conventional management systems. The experiment was conducted in a randomised complete block design, replicated thrice, with nine treatments, including organic, chemical, natural farming, integrated nutrient management (INM) and integrated crop management (ICM). The highest basmati rice grain yield (3390 kg ha−1) was obtained with chemical management, which was statistically at par with ICM, INM and FYM treatments, but was significantly higher than that in the organic and natural farming treatments. The highest wheat grain yield (4450 kg ha−1) was recorded with ICM, which was statistically at par with INM and chemical management. Higher productivity in basmati rice was achieved with chemical and integrated management, but the highest net returns and benefit-to-cost ratio (2.89) were recorded under organic farming due to the price premium obtained for the produce. In wheat, despite higher cultivation costs, organic farming had lower returns, while chemical management had the highest net returns and benefit-to-cost ratio (2.9). Natural farming treatments were more energy efficient than the other systems because of low energy inputs.

ANCIENT CEREAL CULTURE FOR THE MODERN GROAT INDUSTRY

At the origin of wheat-spelt breeding in Ukraine is the outstanding scientific breeder Fedir Pariy. As of today, seven varieties of wheat-spelt have been entered into the Register of plant varieties suitable for distribution in the territory of Ukraine. The first variety of spelt wheat Triticum spelta L. "Zoria Ukrainy" was entered into the register in 2011, and from that began the active study of this type of hulled wheat not only by breeders, but also by technologists, the goal of which was the introduction of hulled wheat in the domestic grain processing industry. Two years later, in 2013, the second variety of domestic spelled wheat "Yevropa" was entered into the register, the work on the selection of which was also headed by Fedir Pariy. The following varieties of spelt wheat were entered into the Register relatively recently during 2017-2021: Attergauer Dinkel (2016), Evrika (2017), Mv Martongold (2018), Vyshyvanka bilotserkivska (2018), Bilberi (2021). Considering wheat-spelt grain as a potential raw material for cereal production, it can be noted that thanks to the excellent chemical composition of the grain and its affinity with the grain of traditional wheat, it can be concluded that it can be processed at domestic grain factories of different productivity, using at the same time as the traditional available on technological equipment at the enterprise, and when building new lines and factories, use more modern solutions offered by world leaders in the production of technological equipment, such as the Buhler company. At the same time, it is possible to produce both a higher-quality product, traditional for the Ukrainian consumer, such as "Artek" and "Poltavska"groats, and to focus on the production of a new range of wheat products - the production of whole groats and flaked kernels, which in turn, with rational construction and the use of more efficient technological equipment, will give be able to produce functional and dietary food products. In addition, due to such products, the export potential of the grain processing industry can be increased, especially taking into account the small amount of spelt wheat cultivation in the countries of the European Union, with the constant increase in demand for environmentally friendly and high-quality products that are available in these countries, with the right approach, can make Ukraine an exporter of wheat-spelt processing products to EU countries and beyond.

Evaluation of Federal Crop Insurance Corporation methods to estimate soft winter wheat grain yield in the Eastern United States

Evaluation of Federal Crop Insurance Corporation methods to estimate soft winter wheat grain yield in the Eastern United States

Insights from a 19-year field study: optimizing long-term nutrient supply strategies for enhanced crop productivity and nutritional security in rice–wheat systems

What nutrient supply options can ensure maximum productivity and optimize the nutrient uptake of rice–wheat system (R-W system)? an experiment started in the year 1998 (19-year-old) to examine the impact of optimal nutrient supply (NS) strategies to maximize crop productivity and nutritional security in R-W system. To determine the best nutrient management strategies (BNMS), seven different NS methods were tested. These included (organic and mineral fertilizers), as well as combinations such as integrated plant nutrition system (IPNS), IPNS + B (berseem), and IPNS + C (cowpea), with the aim of enhancing the productivity and nutrient absorption of R-W system. Results showed that rice grain yield notably wide-ranging from 1.61 to 5.81 t ha−1 under different NS options and highest rice grain yield (mean of 19 years) was observed at IPNS + C (5.81 t ha−1), which was at par with IPNS (5.79 t ha−1), STCR (soil test crop response) (5.76 t ha−1) and IPNS + B (5.67 t ha−1) followed by 100% recommended dose fertilizer NPK (4.41 t ha−1), which equality with OF (organic farming) (4.04 t ha−1) and lowest was recorded in control plot (1.61 t ha−1). Wheat grain yield varied significantly from 1.43 to 5.86 t ha−1 under different NS options. The highest yield (mean of 19 years) was observed in treatments IPNS + B (5.86 t ha−1), IPNS (5.77 t ha−1), IPNS + C (5.48 t ha−1), and STCR (5.45 t ha−1), followed by OF at 4.49 t ha−1, NPK at 3.76 t ha−1, with the lowest in the control plot at 1.43 t ha−1. Additionally, total phosphorus and sulfur accumulation in rice (grain: 8.41 to 39.09 kg ha−1; straw: 6.02 to 23.54 kg ha−1) varied significantly across nutrient supply treatments. Overall, adoption of IPNS integration with legumes (IPNS + B and IPNS + C), can significantly improve productivity and nutrient accumulation in R-W systems. Incorporating legumes into farming practices is advised for sustained productivity and nutritional benefits.

Pinpointing the genetic keys to enhanced mineral accumulation in wheat grains toward global nutritional challenges

Pinpointing the genetic keys to enhanced mineral accumulation in wheat grains toward global nutritional challenges

An Aegilops longissima NLR protein with integrated CC-BED module mediates resistance to wheat powdery mildew

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), reduces wheat yields and grain quality, thus posing a significant threat to global food security. Wild relatives of wheat serve as valuable resources for resistance to powdery mildew. Here, the powdery mildew resistance gene Pm6Sl is cloned from the wild wheat species Aegilops longissima. It encodes a nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) protein featuring a CC-BED module formed by a zinc finger BED (Znf-BED) domain integrated into the coiled-coil (CC) domain. The function of Pm6Sl is validated via mutagenesis, gene silencing, and transgenic assays. In addition, we develop a resistant germplasm harbouring Pm6Sl in a very small segment with no linkage drag along with the diagnostic gene marker pm6sl-1 to facilitate Pm6Sl deployment in wheat breeding programs. The cloning of Pm6Sl, a resistance gene with BED-NLR architecture, will increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying BED-NLR-mediated resistance to various pathogens.

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.

Efficacy of invasive plant powders and inert dusts against Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) in wheat grain

Cereal grain insect pests, specifically Sitophilus zeamais, pose significant challenges to farmers and distributors worldwide, leading to substantial economic losses. Traditional pest control methods often rely on fumigants, raising environmental and health concerns. As an alternative, this study explores the efficacy of unconventional repellents derived from five invasive plant species powders and inert dusts such as wood ash, quartz sand, and zeolite in controlling S. zeamais infestations. The study employs laboratory experiments to evaluate the repellent effects of these substances on adult weevils and progeny emergence on wheat grain under different environmental conditions. Results indicate that plant powders showed some repellent effect (average significant difference in live weevil counts between treated and untreated grain was 13.4 %) and mortality rate (mostly around 20 %), but they were less effective compared to the well-known substances such as SilicoSec® and wood ash (both over 80 % mortality). Similar effects were observed in the progeny emergence experiment. Despite the lower effectiveness compared to conventional substances, the combined application of plant powders with other low-risk methods like the decreasing of temperature and humidity may offer viable pest management strategies in certain scenarios. Additionally, the study underscores the need for further exploration of alternative plant species and the potential for synergistic effects when combining repellent substances.

The transcription factor CAMTA2 interacts with the histone acetyltransferase GCN5 and regulates grain weight in wheat.

Grain weight and size are major traits targeted in breeding to improve wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield. Here, we find that the histone acetyltransferase GENERAL CONTROL NONDEREPRESSIBLE 5 (GCN5) physically interacts with the calmodulin-binding transcription factor CAMTA2 and regulates wheat grain size and weight. gcn5 mutant grains were smaller and contained less starch. GCN5 promoted the expression of the starch biosynthesis genes SUCROSE SYNTHASE 2 (Sus2) and STARCH-BRANCHING ENZYME Ic (SBEIc) by regulating H3K9ac and H3K14ac levels in their promoters. Moreover, immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry (IP-MS) revealed that CAMTA2 physically interacts with GCN5. The CAMTA2-GCN5 complex activated Sus2 and SBEIc by directly binding to their promoters and depositing H3K9ac and H3K14ac marks during wheat endosperm development. camta2 knockout mutants exhibited similar phenotypes to gcn5 mutants, including smaller grains that contained less starch. In gcn5 mutants, transcripts of high molecular weight (HMW) Glutenin (Glu) genes were downregulated, leading to reduced HMW glutenin protein levels, gluten content, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sedimentation volume. However, the association of GCN5 with Glu genes was independent of CAMTA2, since GCN5 enrichment on Glu promoters was unchanged in camta2 knockouts. Finally, we identified a CAMTA2-AH3 elite allele that corresponded with enhanced grain size and weight, serving as a candidate gene for breeding wheat varieties with improved grain weight.

Problems and effectiveness of breeding of winter wheat varieties with increased environmental stability

Aim. The search of adaptive response peculiarities to adverse environmental factors is an important condition of development of varietal technologies and control of adaptive potential of winter wheat varieties. Methods. The studies were carried out in accordance with the field test methodology. The wheat varieties of different types of growing, different genetic and ecological origins were studied. Results. The alternative variety Clarisa and the new universal varieties of winter wheat Perlyna, Askaniyska, Askaniyska Bereginya were characterized by the highest yield at different times of spring vegetation recovery. Thus, on average over the years of research, they exceeded the standard variety of Kherson Bezosta by 0.51–1.27 t/ha in terms of yield, and under unfavorable conditions of the late recovery of spring vegetation, their advantage was at the level of 0.58–1.34 t/ha. Conclusions. For stable production of high-yielding winter soft wheat grain, use new varieties of the universal type Askaniyska, Askaniyska Bereginya, Perlyna and alternative types Clarissa, Solomia for different agrophones for late sowing periods according to different predecessors.

Composite edible film mimicking cell wall based on arabinoxylan, β-glucan and nanocellulose: Microstructural, physico-chemical properties, and preservation effect

To achieve sustainable environmental development, various biodegradable films have been designed to replace plastic films. The cell walls of the wheat bran aleurone layers primarily comprise alternately overlapping arabinoxylan (AX), β-glucan (BG) and small quantities of cellulose and ferulic acid. The differences in their composition can affect their mechanical strength and hydration. Therefore, multilayer films of AX, BG, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), and free ferulic acid were prepared to simulate the cell walls of wheat aleurone layers, and the effect of different CNF contents on cell walls characteristics was investigated. The microstructure, physical properties, and hydration characteristics of multilayer films were studied using scanning electron microscopy, time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermogravimetric analysis. The AX/BG/8%CNF multilayer films possessed excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties along with slow moisture diffusion and flowability. When the CNF content within the films was 8%, the polymer composite structure hindered the diffusion of moisture. Inspired by the biological effects of wheat grain cell walls, cellulose multilayer films were used for blueberries preservation, and the decay rate, weight loss index, and respiration rate of blueberries were found to decrease significantly.