Agronomic and quality characteristics of spring wheat lines selected for protein content and protein yield

Summary High protein cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from eight foreign countries and the United States were used in crosses to provide progeny for a recurrent selection program. After two cycles of selection, 40 lines selected for protein yield and 16 lines selected fro protein percentage were evaluated with parents in yield nurseries at Bozeman, Montana.Lines selected for protein pereentage had the highest protein percentages, protein yields similar to the parents, and grain yields lower than the parents. Lines selected for protein yield had protein percentages intermediate between those of the parents and lines selected for protein percentage, but they had the highest protein yields and grain yields. Protein percentage and grain yield were negatively correlated and protein yield and grain yield were positively correlated for both groups of lines. The data tend to suggest that protein yield may a better selection criterion than protein percentage for plant breeders to use in improving protein productivity, although additional testing of this hypothesis is proposed.Milling and baking data showed transgressive improvement over the mean of the patents in many important quality aspects, indicating that good quality lines can be obtained from crosses involving poor to mediocre quality cultivars.Joint contribution of ARS, USDA and the Mont. Agric. Exp. Stn. Published with approval of the Director of the Mont. Agric. Exp. Stn. as Paper No. 1181, Journal Series. Received 19 June 1981.     

Variations in the content of starch-granule bound protein among several Japanese cultivars of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Summary The starch-granule bound proteins of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and six related species were examined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They showed almost the same molecular weight, 61 kD. The amount of the starch-granule bound protein varied among Japanese wheat cultivars although the variation was not as wide as that for rice. The amount of this protein of Kanto 107 and Kanto 79 was about 40% of that of Norin 98. In addition, wheats with lower starch-granule bound protein also possessed lower amylose content.     

Kernel hardness and baking quality of wheat — A genetic analysis using chromosome substitution lines

Summary An attempt was made to identify the chromosomal location of genetic control of a few components of wheat quality, using chromosome substitution lines of Cappelle Desprez, Cheyenne, Hope, and Timstein into the recipient variety Chinese Spring.Major factors for kernel hardness and increased baking absorption were found on chromosomes 5D of Cheyenne and Hope, and on 3B, 5D and 7D of Timstein. In Timstein, the presence of one of these chromosomes sufficed to make the wheat kernels hard.Factors for favourable dough properties were identified on a few other chromosomes, different in various varieties. These were 1A of Cappelle Desprez and Cheyenne, 3B of Hope, and 2D of Timstein. All but one of these chromosomes showed an increase in loaf volume to a level in-between those of the recipient variety Chinese Spring and the donor varieties. No relationship was found between kernel hardness and dough-making and baking properties.It was assumed that wheat quality is due to a combination of kernel hardness and favourable dough-making properties. As the genes for these factors are located on different chromosomes, it should not be too difficult to introduce both factors in existing varieties with poor baking properties. In a wheat breeding programme, the quality of new lines can be assessed in a rather simple way by determining kernel hardness and dough stability.     

A comparison of grain protein content QTLs and flour protein content QTLs across environments in cultivated wheat

The protein content of cultivated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important determinant factor of the nutritional value of the grain and the technological properties and rheological properties of flour. In order to examine the genetic basis of protein content, we searched for grain protein content quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and flour protein content QTLs in a newly developed doubled haploid (DH) line and identified the genetic correlation between grain protein content and flour protein content in the same DH population. Both the DH population and its parental lines were evaluated for grain protein content and flour protein content in three field trials. Four additive effect QTLs, two pairs of epistatic QTLs, and two QTLs × environment (QE) interaction for grain protein content were identified. The model explained 51.52% of the phenotypic variation (PVE), with epistatic effects being better explained by the higher PVE than additive effects. Four additive effect QTLs, five pairs of epistatic QTLs, and one QE were detected for flour protein content. The model explained 45.8% of the PVE. Of the 15 QTLs identified, three additive QTLs and one pair of epistatic QTLs were determined for both grain protein content and flour protein content; of these, the QTLs for protein content were considered to be more 'stable' than those detected for only grain protein content or for only flour protein content. The data reported here may be useful for manipulating the QTLs for protein content by marker-assisted selection in future wheat breeding programs.     

离子束介导大豆DNA导入小麦的蛋白质含量稳定分析

摘要：为了提高小麦蛋白质含量,采用离子束介导法将大豆（Glycine max）豫豆23号的基因组DNA导入小麦（Triticum aestivum L.）品种中育5号和淮阴9628。获得T1代高蛋白含量（>15%）单株114株,蛋白质含量最高达21.44%,显著提高了小麦蛋白质含量。从T1到T3代连续单株选择,获得了16个遗传上基本稳定的T3代株系。结果表明,离子束介导的大豆基因组导入是小麦高蛋白含量改良的可行途径。     

几种栽培措施对小麦籽粒蛋白质含量的影响

研究了几种栽培措施对小麦籽粒蛋白质含量的影响。降低种植密度,增加生育后期的氮肥用量,以及喷施某些植物生长调节剂(PGR),可以不同程度地提高小麦籽粒的蛋白质含量。播种期的影响很大,春播条件下籽粒蛋白质含量很高,但千粒重明显降低,适当调整播期,可望提高蛋白质含量。本文就栽培措施影响蛋白质的生理机制进行了讨论。     

Increased grain protein content and its association with agronomic and end-use quality in two hard red spring wheat populations derived from Triticum turgidum L. var. dicoccoides

Suitability of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for many food products depends on its unique protein. Elevated grain protein content (GPC) and its quality influences the bread making properties of wheat. The objective of this study was to examine the association of elevated GPC with agronomic and end-use quality in two hard red spring wheat recombinant inbred (RI) populations derived from wild emmer (Triticum turgidum L. var. dicoccoides). The two hard red spring populations (ND683/Bergen and Glupro/Bergen) were developed using a single-seed-descent method. ND683 and ‘Glupro’ are high in GPC (180 g kg^-1), presumably due to the introgression of gene(s) from Triticum turgidum L. var. dicoccoides and ‘Bergen’ is low in GPC (145 g kg^-1). From each of the two populations 12 high- and 12 low-GPC RI lines (F_5:7) were selected for replicated testing at two North Dakota (ND) locations in 1995. In both populations, the high-GPC lines had significantly (p < 0.05) higher values compared to the low-GPC lines for mean GPC and water absorption. Mean grain yield of the high-GPC lines was not significantly different from the low-GPC lines in both populations. In the ND683/Bergen population, the high-GPC lines had significantly (p < 0.05) higher values than the low-GPC lines for mean plant height, days to heading, and flour extraction. GPC was significantly (p < 0.05)and negatively associated with test weight and also significantly (p < 0.01) and positively associated with water absorption in the Glupro/Bergen population. In these populations, results suggested that it may be possible to select lines that combine higher GPC and acceptable yield level, but later in maturity and taller in plant height. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Variation in endosperm protein composition and technological quality properties in durum wheat

Durum wheat quality is controlled by endosperm protein content and composition. Electrophoretic, protein content and SDS sedimentation analyses were carried out on a large collection of accessions of durum wheat from Turkey, and compared with Italian cultivars. A number of patterns were detected, resulting from the combination of different alleles at genomes A and B, and new allelic variants were identified. Genotypes with the same allele at Gli-B1 showed inconsistencies in the comparison of low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS), suggesting caution in considering γ-gliadins as genetic markers for pasta quality. Variation in protein content and SDS sedimentation values was wider in the Turkish material than in the Italian cultivars, the values of which were in line with cultivars from Australia, Canada, France, and the USA. A substantial amount of the variation in gluten properties was explained in terms of protein composition, with LMW-GS making the largest contribution. Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analyses were carried out on two biotypes of the Italian cultivar Lira that differ at the Gli-B1/Glu-B3 loci (Lira 42 has γ-42, LMW-1, and poor quality; whereas Lira 45 has γ-45, LMW-2, and good quality). The results indicated that differences in quality may be due to: 1) the absolute amount of LMW glutenins which was greater in LMW-2; 2) the relative predominance of LMW-s type and LMW-m type subunits in Lira 45 glutenins which act as polymer chain extenders; and 3) the higher proportion of the α-type and γ-type glutenin subunits, in Lira 42 glutenins, which have an additional (nine) cysteine residue in the N-terminal region and act as glutenin chain terminators. The conclusion reached was that breeding for quality should consider selection for LMW-GS and against α-type and γ-type glutenin subunits. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Changes in wheat seed storage protein fingerprint due to soil mineral content

Wheat seed storage protein fingerprint is used to determine the gluten protein pattern in studies aimed at improving flour quality. Wild wheat with high seed protein content is used extensively in wheat breeding programs. Although the wild wheat growth and protein content may be influenced by environmental conditions, the gluten-protein pattern is generally considered as indicative of a genotype, without the superimposition of environmental influences. The effects of soil type, habitat, and deficiencies of N, P, K and S on seed storage protein composition were examined in nine accessions of wild wheat (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides) and three varieties (two T. aestivum and one T. durum). Soil from ten natural habitats of the wild wheat that had not previously received any fertilizers or manures was sampled and used to grow wheat in a greenhouse. Seed storage protein composition was characterized by SDS-PAGE. Although deficiencies in soil nutrient caused variations in the seed storage proteins, the genotype was the main factor determining the seed storage protein composition. Seed storage protein composition of genotypes varied when grown under different mineral nutrient conditions. Only one genotype was stable showing almost identical protein patterns under all growing conditions studied without any qualitative change in fingerprint pattern. In the other genotypes, as well as the cultivars, the seed storage protein was affected at least to some extent by the soil. The ‘soil effect’ is summarized in terms of three main quantitative changes in the seeds: 1 – the relative amounts of the high-molecular-weight proteins; 2 – the relative amounts of proteins in the range of 45 and 65 kD; 3 – the percentage distribution of the HMW glutenin and other groups of seed storage proteins. The soild induced also qualitative differences in the composition of seed storage proteins, mostly in those of 45–65 kD. These differences were observed whenever a deficiency of S, N, P, K or Mg was identified. Therefore, in breeding programs that use seed storage protein fingerprints of wild wheat germplasms should be exercise caution when the germplasms selected from wild habitats. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

优质蛋白质玉米的研究现状和利用价值

随着人们生活水平的提高、对仪器多样化的要求和畜牧业的快速发展，优质蛋白质玉米以其营养价值高、饲用价值高、用途广泛和种植效益好而越来越受到人们的广泛重视。调整玉米种植结构，大力推广和发展优质蛋白质玉米必将推动玉米产业的快速发展，对发展畜牧业、推动食品工业和改善人民的营养状况具有十分重要的意义。     

A comparison of marker-assisted and phenotypic selection for high grain protein content in spring wheat

Wheat grain protein content (GPC) is a primary end-use quality determinant for hard spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and marker-assisted selection (MAS) could help plant breeders to develop high GPC cultivars. Two experiments were conducted using two populations developed by crossing low GPC cultivars (Ember) and (McVey) with (Glupro), which contains a high GPC QTL from Triticum dicoccoides (DIC). In one experiment, MAS and phenotypic selection (PS) were employed to select high GPC genotypes, and the selected genotypes were grown in six North Dakota (ND), USA environments. In a second experiment, molecular markers were used to select BC₂F₂ plants from each marker class for the DIC allele from each population. These plants were twice self-pollinated to produce BC₂F₄ plants, which were grown in single ND and Minnesota (MN) environments. Mean GPC was highest among lines using PS at two environments and not significantly different between MAS and PS in the other four environments. Lines presumably homozygous for DIC alleles had significantly higher GPC than their respective low GPC parents. The phenotypic GPC variation explained by the markers (r ²) was 30% at the ND and 15% at the MN environment. The use of PS was as effective as MAS in selecting for high GPC genotypes and more effective in some environments. This likely can be attributed to PS enabling selection for both the major QTL and other genes contributing to GPC. The use of molecular markers might be more advantageous for transferring the high GPC DIC QTL in a backcrossing program during parent development.     

Environmental and genetic determination of protein content and grain yield in durum wheat under Mediterranean conditions

The unpredictability of the Mediterranean climate causes fluctuations in wheat yield and quality, but offers the opportunity for obtaining high‐quality durum wheat in terms of grain protein content. Twenty‐five durum wheat genotypes were grown under irrigated and rainfed conditions at each of two latitudes in Spain during 1998 and 1999. Differences between latitudes in grain protein content and chlorophyll content in the flag leaf were attributable to nitrogen fertilization management. Cycle length until anthesis was less affected by the environment than grain‐filling duration, and was longer under irrigated conditions than in the rainfed sites. A negative asymptotic curve was the best equation to fit the relationship between yield and protein content, suggesting that yield improvements in fertile environments may be attained with negligible reductions in protein content. ‘Jabato’, ‘Waha’, ‘Lagost‐3’, ‘Massara‐1’ and ‘Vit?on’ showed medium to high yield, yield stability and high protein content. Chlorophyll content in the flag leaf, measured at anthesis with the soil‐plant analysis development (SPAD) portable field unit, may be useful for the fast and cheap detection of durum wheat genotypes with high grain protein content in drought‐stressed Mediterranean environments.     

STMS markers for grain protein content and their validation using near-isogenic lines in bread wheat

The present study, undertaken as a continuation of an earlier study on quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of grain protein content (GPC) in bread wheat (Prasad et al. 1999), includes the following: (1) identification of an additional molecular marker associated with GPC; (2) development of near‐isogenic lines (NILs) for high GPC; and (3) the use of three sets of NILs (a total of 10 NILs) to validate the two available markers linked with QTL for GPC. A total of 114 sequence‐tagged microsatellite site (STMS) primer pairs (that were not used in the previous study) were used for detection of polymorphism between the two parents (PH132, with high GPC; WL711, with low GPC) of a mapping population of 100 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). A total of 95 primer pairs gave amplification products, of which only 30 detected reproducible polymorphism between the parental genotypes. Bulked segregant analysis was conducted using these 30 primers on two bulks (each comprising eight RILs) representing the two extremes of the normal distribution. A solitary primer pair (WMC415) showed association with GPC, which was further confirmed through selective genotyping. Subsequently, 100 RILs were genotyped. A single‐marker linear regression analysis showed significant association between the marker WMC415 and GPC, thus identifying a quantitative trait locus (designated as QGpcccsu‐5A1), which explained 6.21% of the variation for GPC among the RILs. The above STMS marker, together with the STMS marker (WMC41) identified earlier, explains approximately 25% of the variation for GPC. In order to conduct validation of the above two available markers, 10 NILs were developed for high GPC using two genotypes (WL711 and HD2329) with low GPC as recipient parents and another two genotypes (PH132 and PH133) with high GPC as donor parents. NIL 2233 (with 11.7% GPC), derived from HD2329, when tried with WMC41 gave a characteristic amplification profile similar to that of its donor parent PH132, and NIL 2215 (with 11.9% GPC) derived from WL711, when tried with WMC415 gave an amplification profile that resembled its donor parent PH133. The remaining eight NILs with high GPC gave patterns similar to those of their corresponding recipient parents with both the markers, suggesting that either the QTL, other than those associated with the above markers, were actually transferred from the donor parents and contributed to high GPC in these NILs or that recombination had occurred between the markers identified and the corresponding QTL. Thus, the marker validation conducted using NILs, while demonstrating the utility of these two microsatellite markers for use in marker‐assisted selection in plant breeding, also suggested that many more QTL exist that would need to be identified using closely linked molecular markers.     

Effects of the Russian wheat aphid on osmotic potential and fructan content of winter wheat seedlings

Summary The effect of an autumn Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), infestation on winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., was investigated using osmotic potential, fructan content and field survival measurements to estimate coldhardiness. An average infestation of 147 aphids per plant, under simulated hardening conditions, increased the osmotic potential of Froid and Brawny (more or less coldhardy varieties, respectively) seedlings by 0.236 and 0.345 MPa, respectively. A natural field infestation averaging 9.7 aphids per plant reduced fructan contents of Froid and Brawny seedlings by 22.60 and 59.10 g kg^-1 dry wt., respectively. Similar trends occurred after a natural freeze period. Field survival and yield results indicate that the autumn infestation reduced the winter survivability of Brawny by 54% and reduced grain yields by 1217 kg ha^-1; survival and yield of infested Froid were not significantly affected. PI 372129, a D. noxia resistant winter wheat genotype was not affected by an infestation in regard to these parameters. These studies suggest that coldhardiness in Froid and Brawny was reduced by D. noxia though only the less hardy Brawny had a significantly reduced winter survivability and grain yield. Therefore, the effects of an autumn D. noxia infestation on some winter wheat genotypes may interact with a winter climate and increase the potential for winterkill.     

小麦籽粒钙元素含量的研究进展

提高矿物质营养元素含量正在成为世界主要粮食作物的重要研究方向和育种目标。钙元素是人体必需的矿物质元素,在人类骨骼形成和新陈代谢中发挥着重要作用。全球约35亿人缺钙,缺钙已成为影响人类健康的国际性重大问题。主食是一种最优安全的矿物质元素补充途径。小麦是我国乃至全世界主要粮食作物,是全球35%~40%人口主要的食物来源,是摄入钙的主要来源,是矿物质元素生物强化的重要作物。通过遗传改良方法提高小麦籽粒钙元素含量被认为是解决缺钙最经济、有效、可持续的措施,目前已引起了国内外学者的高度关注。本文综述了近年来小麦籽粒钙元素含量的研究进展,主要包括籽粒钙含量的遗传差异、影响因素以及与相关性状关系、调控机理。此外,我们还提出了将来进行钙营养强化小麦研究的方向,此研究内容为加快通过主粮实现有效补钙、倡导健康营养的膳食模式、满足由“量”的需求向“质”的需求转变的粮食安全、改善国民健康状况以及减少因缺钙造成的经济损失提供了解决方案。     

Environmental and genetic variation for protein content in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Summary There is a considerable amount of variation in the protein content of wheat kernels. This variation may be induced by environmental factors, but can also be attributed to genetic differences. Within a genotype the correlation between grain yield and grain protein content can be either close to zero, positive, or negative. depending on the fertility level. Between genotypes this correlation is strongly negative. It is argued that the negative inter-genotypic correlation is largely a consequence of the high harvest-index of high yielding varieties. Breeding methods to alleviate the negative yield-protein content relationship are given.     

小麦籽粒钙元素含量的研究进展

Increasing the mineral content is becoming the important research direction and major target for crops breeding in the world. Calcium is an essential mineral element for human health and plays a pivotal role in skeletogenesis and metabolism. It is estimated that about 3.5 billion people was suffered from calcium deficiencies. Calcium deficiency has become a major international problem harming human health. The staple food is an optimal and safe way to mineral supplement. Wheat, one of the main food crops in China and even in the world, is the main source of food for 35%-40% of global population, a main source for human’s calcium intake as well as an important crop of mineral element biofortification. Improving the calcium content in wheat grains through genetic improvement is considered to be the most economical, effective and sustainable measure to solve the calcium deficiency, which has aroused great concern from international scholars. This paper summarized the recent advances in the study of calcium content in wheat grains, mainly including the genetic variation, affecting factors, the relationship with related traits and regulation mechanism of calcium content in grain. Furthermore, we also put forward the direction of future research on calcium-fortified wheat, which provides solutions for accelerating the effective calcium supplementation through staple food, promoting the healthy and nutritious dietary pattern, ensuring the food security to meet the transition from “quantitative” to “qualitative” demands, improving people’s health, and reducing economic losses caused by calcium deficiency.     

小麦GMP含量的配合力分析

选用6个小麦亲本材料．按照Griffing方法Ⅱ组配了一套双列杂交组合,研究了谷蛋白大聚合体（GMP）含量的配合力和遗传力。结果表明．谷蛋白大聚合体的遗传受加性基因和非加性基因的共同控制．以加性效应为主。一般配合力效应值和亲本的GMP含量呈极显著正相关．二者的排列顺序呈现完全一致的趋势。大部分杂交组合的特殊配合力效应值为负值．GMP含量遗传力很高．可通过常规育种提高杂交种的GMP含量。