Effect of Kernel Size and Its Potential Interaction with Genotype on Key Quality Traits of Durum Wheat

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of kernel size and its potential interaction with genotype on durum wheat quality with emphases on kernel physical characteristics, milling performance, and color-related quality parameters. Wheat samples of seven genotypes, selected from the 2018 Canadian durum variety registration trial, were segregated into large (LK), medium (MK), and small-sized kernels (SK). In general, the kernel size greatly affected the durum wheat milling performance. Within a given size fraction, a strong impact of genotype was shown on the test weight of SK and the milling yields of MK and LK. Particularly, the MK fraction, segregated from the genotypes with superior milling quality, had a higher semolina yield than LK from the genotypes of inferior milling quality, inferring the importance of intrinsic physicochemical properties of durum kernels in affecting milling quality. SK exhibited inferior milling quality regardless of the genotypes selected. A strong impact of genotype was shown for the total yellow pigment (TYP) content and yellowness of semolina, while the kernel size had a significant impact on the brightness and redness of the semolina and pasta. Despite SK possessing much higher TYP, the semolina and pasta prepared from SK were lower in brightness and yellowness but with elevated redness.

Studying standard and rheological quality parameters of winter wheat by Python visualisation

This study was carried out to present an innovative solution for interpreting large data sets in agri-statistics with the invocation of programmed visualisation. Moreover, the following polyfactorial long-term experiment embodies a comprehensive study of 18 wheat quality parameters. The effect of increasing dosages of fertiliser (control, N₉₀PK, N₁₅₀PK) was examined on 3 winter wheat cultivars (KG Kunhalom, GK Csillag, Hybiza) in two consecutive growing seasons (2018–2019). The ecological conditions of 2018 gave a significantly higher yield, meanwhile 2019 significantly augmented gluten spread, alveographic tenacity, alveographic deformation work, valorigraphic stability and quality group and loaf volume. N₉₀PK dosage was enough to realise yield and quality potential as well. Fertilising significantly improved 13 indices, namely yield, crude protein, Zeleny index, wet gluten content, alveographic extensibility, alveographic deformation work, valorigraphic water absorption, quality number and group, dough development time, stability, softening and loaf volume. Considering yield, cv. Hybiza performed better, while cvs. KG Kunhalom and GK Csillag possessed significantly better protein-linked postharvest attributes. One of the most important findings is that waffle chart, joint plot, correlation matrix and complexradar of Python provide a very powerful tool in agri-statistics. Also, the results can potentially improve the knowledge about cultivar-specific agronomy practice, wheat quality and the connections between these parameters.

Assessing the Rheological Properties of Durum Wheat Semolina: A Review

Empiric rheology is considered a useful tool for assessing the technological quality of wheat. Over the decades, several tests have been adapted from common to durum wheat, and new approaches have been proposed to meet the needs of the players of the durum wheat value chain. Breeders are looking for reliable methods to test the functional quality of wheat lines at early stages, where there are limited amounts of sample; millers need fast and reliable methods for checking wheat quality right at the point of the receiving station; and pasta-makers are looking for suitable methods to predict end product quality. This review provides an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the rheological tests currently used to evaluate the quality of durum wheat semolina, with the emphasis on Europe. Moreover, the relationships among the parameters obtained from different rheological approaches are extrapolated from the literature and integrated with the data obtained from 74 samples of durum wheat semolina. Although numerous efforts have been made to propose rapid and reliable tests for semolina characterization, the ideal test has yet to be proposed, indicating that researchers and pasta companies need to focus on perfecting the way to assess the quality of durum wheat and pasta.

Estimation features of winter bread wheat quality by the method of sedimentation analysis

It is known that the breeding process is in a great need for fast methods, working on minimal weights of experimental material and revealing the qualitative potential of the varieties. For this purpose, in order to get rid of unpromising numbers, the laboratory assessments widely use a sedimentation analysis, this type of analysis being the main one at the primary stages of breeding and when estimating winter wheat in the pre-harvesting period. The purpose of the current study was to identify the most valuable genotypes in seed plots by sedimentation analysis to optimize the breeding process of winter bread wheat for grain quality. The sedimentation index was estimated by the method using a 2% surfactant (SAS) solution of the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 9.4% lactic acid. Gluten content and its quality, volumetric bread yield and falling number were assessed according to generally accepted methods. For the most accurate interpretation of the study results there has been used a one-way analysis of variance. The range of variation of the sedimentation index in the seed plot of CVT was 35–57 ml (2017); 50–83 ml (2018); 56–84 ml (2019); in KP-1 it was 44–95 ml (there were analyzed 945 samples); in KP-2 it was 50–94 ml (there were analyzed 100 samples). Inthe studied seed plot of CVT, which was laid fallow, 25 of 36 variety samples were very strong in quality; 7 ones were strong; 4 ones were medium; there were not identified any satisfactory and weak samples. As for the seed plot KP-2, 88 of 100 were very strong, 11 ones were strong and only one sample was average in quality. In the seed plot KP-1 480 of 945 were very strong (51%); 440 samples were strong (46%), and only 3% (25 pieces) were average in quality; there were not identified any satisfactory and weak samples.

An innovative approach for determining composite wheat quality index to identify quality enriched genotypes - insights and implications

Ranking test entries or test sites on a quality basis is very difficult in wheat as value addition is perceived by several grain properties and end-products. Here, a novel approach has been developed and tested by deriving wheat quality index based on principal component analysis of 13 physico-chemical grain parameters and 3 end products of 45 wheat varieties. Depending upon the observed index range (0.15 to 0.71), the cultivars were assorted into 3 distinct classes i.e. elite, moderate and poor. The top group ascertained high quality standards of grain suited for bread and chapati whereas bottom group assured better cookies quality. This technique was also tested to differentiate quality enriched test sites within a zone or demarcate the most suited production environments to harness good quality wheat. The index will have an implication on farmers (premium price for varietal segregation), industry (product specific quality cultivars), and consumers (superior quality products).