Properties of Starches from Near‐Isogenic Wheat Lines with Different Wx Protein Deficiencies

To determine the effect of amylose content on the starch properties, the amylose content, pasting properties, swelling power, enzymatic digestibility, and thermal properties of partial and perfect waxy types along with their wild‐type parent were analyzed. As expected, amylose content decreases differently in response to the loss of each Wx gene, showing the least response to Wx‐A1a. Most of the characteristics, except the thermal properties of the amylose‐lipid complex in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), differed significantly among the tested types. Furthermore, the breakdown, setback, and pasting temperatures from the Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) and the enzymatic digestibility, swelling power, peak temperature, and enthalpy of starch gelatinization from DSC showed a correlation with the amylose content. The relationships between the peak viscosity from the RVA and the onset temperature of starch gelatinization determined by DSC with amylose content of the tested materials were not clear. Waxy starch, which has no amylose, showed a contrasting behavior in starch gelatinization compared with nonwaxy starches. Among the nonwaxy starches, lower setback, lower pasting temperature, higher enzyme digestibility, higher peak temperature, higher enthalpy of starch gelatinization, and higher swelling were generally associated with low amylose starches.     

Protein and Quality Characterization of Complete and Partial Near‐Isogenic Lines of Waxy Wheat

The objective of this study was to evaluate protein composition and its effects on flour quality and physical dough test parameters using waxy wheat near‐isogenic lines. Partial waxy (single and double nulls) and waxy (null at all three waxy loci, Wx‐A1, Wx‐B1, and Wx‐D1) lines of N11 set (bread wheat) and Svevo (durum) were investigated. For protein composition, waxy wheats in this study had relatively lower albumins‐globulins than the hard winter wheat control. In the bread wheats (N11), dough strength as measured by mixograph peak dough development time (MDDT) (r = 0.75) and maximum resistance (R_max) (r = 0.70) was significantly correlated with unextractable polymeric protein (UPP), whereas in durum wheats, moderate correlation was observed (r = 0.73 and 0.59, respectively). This may be due to the presence of high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW‐GS) Dx2+Dy12 at the Glu‐D1 locus instead of Dx5+Dy10, which are associated with dough strength. Significant correlation of initial loaf volume (ILV) to flour polymeric protein (FPP) (r = 0.75) and flour protein (FP) (r = 0.63) was found in bread wheats, whereas in durum wheats, a weak correlation of ILV was observed with FP (r = 0.09) and FPP (r =0.51). Significant correlation of ILV with FPP in bread wheats and with % polymeric protein (PPP) (r = 0.75) in durum lines indicates that this aspect of end‐use functionality is influenced by FPP and PPP, respectively, in these waxy wheat lines. High ILV was observed with 100% waxy wheat flour alone and was not affected by 50% blending with bread wheat flour. However, dark color and poor crumb structure was observed with 100% waxy flour, which was unacceptable to consumers. As the amylopectin content of the starch increases, loaf expansion increases but the crumb structure becomes increasingly unstable and collapses.     

Quality Characteristics of Waxy Hexaploid Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Properties of Starch Gelatinization and Retrogradation

The viscoelastic properties and molecular structure of the starch isolated from waxy (amylose-free) hexaploid wheat (WHW) (Triticum aestivum L.) were examined. WHW starch generally had lower gelatinization onset temperature, peak viscosity, and setback than the starch isolated from normal hexaploid wheat (NHW). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that WHW starch had higher transition temperatures (T_o, T_p, and T_c) and enthalpy (ΔH) than NHW starch. However, when compared on the basis of amylopectin (AP) content, ΔH of WHW starch was almost statistically identical to that of its parental varieties. Typical A-type X-ray diffraction patterns were observed for the starches of WHW and its parental varieties. Somewhat higher crystallinity was indicated for WHW starch. WHW starch was also characterized by having greater retrogradation resistance. The high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) of amylopectin showed that each amylopectin yielded two fractions after debranching. Although WHW amylopectin had somewhat long B chains, little difference was observed in the ratio of Fr.III/ Fr.II between WHW and its parental varieties.     

Use of Near‐Isogenic Wheat Lines to Determine Protein Composition‐Functionality Relationships

Nine and six major loci control the synthesis of the gluten proteins that are responsible for many of the physical and technological properties of hexaploid and tetraploid wheats, respectively. For hexaploid wheats, these are the three Glu‐1 and three Gli‐1/Glu‐3 loci on group 1 chromosomes, and the three Gli‐2 loci on group 6 chromosomes. Lines in which genes at one or more of these loci are absent or silent are available and have been used to assist in deducing the effects on functional properties of deleting or substituting specific proteins or subunits, while maintaining a constant genetic background. The lines that are available and the information they have provided are summarized.     

Relationship Between Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grain Hardness and Wet‐Milling Quality

Grain hardness variation has large effects on many different end‐use properties of wheat (Triticum aestivum). The Hardness (Ha) locus consisting of the Puroindoline a and b genes (Pina and Pinb) controls the majority of grain hardness variation. Starch production is a growing end‐use of wheat. The objective of this study was to estimate the differences in starch yield due to natural and transgenically conditioned grain hardness differences. To accomplish this goal, a small‐scale wet‐milling protocol was used to characterize the wet‐milling properties of two independent groups of isogenic materials varying in grain hardness and in Pin expression level. The first group of lines consisted of hard/soft near‐isogenic lines created in cultivars Falcon or Gamenya in which lines carried either the Pina‐D1a (functional) or the Pina‐D1b (null) alleles of Pina. The second group of lines consisted of Pina, Pinb, or Pina and Pinb overexpressing lines created in Hi‐Line, a hard red spring wheat. Soft near‐isogenic lines had higher starch extractability than the hard Pina null counterparts. This difference in starch extractability was more pronounced between Hi‐Line and its transgenic isolines, with highest levels of extractable starch observed in the transgenic isoline with intermediate grain texture. The results demonstrate that the Ha locus and puroindoline expression are both linked to wet‐milling starch yield and that selection for increased Ha function increases starch yield through the enhanced separation of starch granules and the protein matrix during wet milling.     

Comparison of Rhizosphere Impacts of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes Differing in Phosphorus Efficiency on Acidic and Alkaline Soils

A glasshouse study was conducted to compare the rhizosphere characteristics of two wheat genotypes, Xiaoyan54 (XY54) and Jing411 (J411) on two soils. The results showed that supplying phosphorus (P) increased the biomass and P content of two wheat lines significantly on alkaline soil, but P fertilization altered their biomass and P content on acidic soil only slightly. XY54 decreased rhizosphere pH more significantly than J411 on Fluvo-aquic soil without P addition, but similar acidity ability was shown when P applied. On red soil, two wheat genotypes showed similar rhizosphere pH. Two wheat lines showed similar rhizoshphere phosphatase activity on alkaline soil, whereas XY54 demonstrated greater rhizoshphere phosphatase activity than J411 on acidic soil. Rhizoshphere phosphatase activities of two wheat lines on acidic soil were greater than alkaline soil. Therefore, stronger acidity on alkaline soil and greater phosphatase activity on acidic soil are principal rhizosphere mechanisms for XY54 to adapt to low-P soils.     

Mineral Uptake of Mycorrhizal Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Salinity Stress

The hypothesis was that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are able to alleviate salt stress on plant growth by enhancing and adjusting mineral uptake. The objectives were to determine (1) the effects of soil salinity on mineral uptake by different wheat genotypes and (2) the effectiveness of different mycorrhizal treatments on the mineral uptake of different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under salinity. Wheat seeds of Chamran and Line 9 genotypes were inoculated with different species of AM fungi including Glomus mosseae, G. intraradices, and G. etunicatum and their mixture at planting using 100 g inoculum. Pots were treated with the salinity levels of 4, 8, and 12 dS/m before stemming. Different arbuscular mycorrhizal treatments, especially the mixture treatment, increased wheat mineral uptake for both genotypes. Although Line 9 genotype resulted in greater nutrient uptake under salinity stress, Chamran was more effective on adjusting sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl^?) uptake under salt stress.     

Boron-Calcium Synergically Alleviates Aluminum Toxicity in Wheat Plants (Triticum aestivum L.)

The effects of B and Ca treatments on root growth, nutrient localization and cell wall properties in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) plants with and without Al stress were investigated. Seedlings were grown hydroponically in a complete nutrient solution for 7 d and then treated with B (0, 40 μM), Ca (0, 2,500 μM), and Al (0, 100 μM) in a 500 μM CaCl₂ solution for 8 d. The cell wall materials (CWM) were extracted with a phenol: acetic acid: water (2:1:1 w/v/v) solution and used for subsequent pectin extraction with trans -1,2-diami-nocyclohexane- N,N,N,N -tetraacetic acid (CDTA) and Na₂CO₃ solutions. Boron, Ca, and B + Ca treatments enhanced root growth by 19.5, 15.2, and 27.2%, respectively, compared to the control (pH 4.5). Calcium and B+Ca treatments enhanced root growth with Al stress by 43 and 54%, respectively, while B did not exert any effect. The amounts of CWM and pectin per unit of root fresh weight increased by Al treatment, whereas the Ca and B+Ca treatments slightly reduced the contents of these components. Seventy-four percent of total B, 69% of total Ca, and 85% of total Al were located in the cell wall in the B, Ca, and Al treatments, respectively and 32% of total B, 33% of total Ca, and 33% of total Al were located in the CDTA-soluble and Na₂CO₃-soluble pectin fractions. A more conspicuous localization of B was observed in the presence of Al. Aluminum treatment markedly decreased the Ca content in the cell wall as well as pectin fractions, mainly in the case of the CDTA-soluble pectin fraction. Boron + Ca treatment decreased the Al content in the cell wall and pectin fractions compared to the Ca treatment alone in the presence of Al. It is concluded that the B+Ca treatment enhanced root growth and, B and Ca uptake, and helped to maintain a normal B and Ca metabolism in the cell walls even in the presence of Al.     

小麦杂种优势群研究III普通小麦和斯卑尔脱小麦微卫星分子标记遗传差异的研究

选用１５份我国不同生态区的普通小麦品种（系）及９份不同国家的斯尔脱小麦品种（系）,利用微卫星分子标记对小麦种间,品种（系）间遗传差异进行了研究,探讨扩大杂交小麦育种亲本遗传基础的途径。所利用的１８对微卫星引物的２４份材料中均有搁增产物,共扩增出分子量小于５００ｂｐ的条带４９５条,其中４６８条带（占９６．７８％）具有多态性,平均每个引物可拉增出２６．６条多态性带。研究发现,９份斯卑尔脱小麦微卫星多态     

Temperature‐Induced Changes in the Dynamic Rheological Behavior and Size Distribution of Polymeric Proteins for Glutens from Wheat Near‐Isogenic Lines Differing in HMW Glutenin Subunit Composition

Viscoelasticity of hydrated gluten depends on composition of HMW gluten subunits (GS), size distribution of glutenin polymers, and proteinprotein interactions. Glutens extracted from four near‐isogenic lines with differing HMW‐GS were analyzed. Rheological properties were studied by dynamic assay in shear. Size distribution of prolamins was determined by sequential extraction and size‐exclusion HPLC. Assays performed at 20°C confirmed that viscoelasticity was determined by large glutenin polymers. The abundance of large glutenin polymers depended on the HMW‐GS composition of the lines. Difference of functionality linked to subunit structure was highlighted by comparing the behaviors of the 1A/1B null and 1A/1D null lines. Glutens were submitted to heating and cooling cycles, with or without an SH‐blocking agent (N‐ethylmaleimide [NEMI]). At 20–40°C, no irreversible changes of the mechanical properties occurred. Thermal treatment affected chain mobility, and possibly H bonds, but not the chemical structure of the network. At >40°C, irreversible rheological changes were observed without NEMI. Irreversibility was mainly due to chemical modifications affecting the polymer size distribution through SH‐SS exchange reactions. The sensitivity of gluten to temperature depended on subunit composition.     

Genealogical Analysis of Diversity of Russian Winter Wheat Cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.)

With the aid of genealogical analysis the genetic diversity of Russian winter Triticum aestivum L. wheat cultivars was studied. The change of diversity in time from 1929 to 2002 shows an increase in diversity of Russian cultivars due to the use of foreign material in the breeding programs. At the same time, the genetic erosion of the released diversity occurred. In the 1950s and the 1960s about 50% of the Russian local and old varieties had dropped out of the pool of landrace ancestors. The set of the modern cultivars included in the Russian Official List 2002 has a cluster structure. The overwhelming majority (96%) are the descendants of cultivars Bezostaya 1 and/or Mironovskaya 808. The low diversity of cultivars recommended for cultivation in the Central and Volga-Vyatka regions is apparent. This situation can result in losses of a yield due to a uniform susceptibility to pathogens.     

Effects on Soft Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Quality of Increased Puroindoline Dosage

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain hardness affects many end‐product quality traits and is controlled primarily by the Hardness (Ha) locus that contains the Puroindoline a and b genes (Pina and Pinb, respectively). All soft hexaploid wheats carry the same Pin alleles, and hard wheats carry a mutation in Pina or Pinb. Here we test the heritability and milling and flour quality effects of increased Pin dosage in soft wheat. Previous experiments have suggested that grain softness can be enhanced by increasing Ha locus dosage through chromosome substitutions. Segregation data from a cross of cultivar Chinese Spring substitution lines with six doses of the Ha locus to the locally adapted soft wheat cultivar Vanna indicate that the substituted B genome Ha locus was not transmitted and that the A genome Ha locus was transmitted normally. Genotypes with the added Pins on the A genome produced seeds that were 7.4 hardness units softer. These softer double Ha genotypes were lower in flour yields, but produced flour with lower ash content, reduced starch damage, and smaller mean particle size. Soft wheats with increased Ha dosage may be useful in improving soft wheat quality through its effects on particle size and starch damage.     

Lox基因RNAi转基因小麦后代株系种子耐储藏性分析

小麦(Triticum aestivum)种子中脂氧合酶(lipoxygenase,LOX)可催化不饱和脂肪酸的氧化作用,在种子储藏期间产生氢过氧化物,导致小麦种子在储藏过程中种子活力和营养品质降低.因此,选育种子LOX活性低的小麦品种是小麦遗传改良的任务之一.为了获得种子脂氧合酶活性显著降低、外源Lox RNAi构件(Lox geneRNAiconstruct,Loxi)能稳定遗传且种子耐储藏性增强的转基因小麦新种质,本研究以小麦西农889、闫麦8911和陕优225转Loxi稳定遗传的TF7代转基因株系为材料,对转基因种子中Lox基因家族进行了半定量RT-PCR分析,结果表明,外源Loxi可有效抑制小麦籽粒中小麦脂氧合酶1(Triticum aestivum lipoxygenase Ⅰ,TaLox1)基因的表达,但小麦脂氧合酶2(Triticum aestivum lipoxygenase 2,TaLox2)和小麦脂氧合酶3(Triticum aestivum lipoxygenase 3,TaLox3)基因的表达量不变;对3个亲本及16个TF7代转基因株系的种子脂氧合酶活性检测,结果显示,与其亲本相比,转基因株系种子脂氧合酶活性显著降低;对人工加速老化处理7和14 d的转基因和对照种子分析发现,随着老化天数的增加种子活力降低,但转基因株系种子活力均显著高于其亲本材料;人工加速老化后脂肪酸组分和含量测定分析表明,转基因株系脂肪酸比其亲本材料氧化损失少.以上结果说明,转基因株系中Lox基因的RNAi可有效抑制其种子LOX活性,使转基因小麦后代种子耐储藏性增强;筛选鉴定得到的种子LOX活性显著降低且耐储藏性增强的转基因小麦株系可为小麦育种提供新的材料.     

Characteristics of Noodles and Bread Prepared from Double‐Null Partial Waxy Wheat

Double‐null partial waxy wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flours were used for isolation of starch and preparation of white salted noodles and pan bread. Starch characteristics, textural properties of cooked noodles, and staling properties of bread during storage were determined and compared with those of wheat flours with regular amylose content. Starches isolated from double‐null partial waxy wheat flours contained 15.4–18.9% amylose and exhibited higher peak viscosity than starches of single‐null partial waxy and regular wheat flours, which contained 22.7–25.8% amylose. Despite higher protein content, double‐null partial waxy wheat flours, produced softer, more cohesive and less adhesive noodles than soft white wheat flours. With incorporation of partial waxy prime starches, noodles produced from reconstituted soft white wheat flours became softer, less adhesive, and more cohesive, indicating that partial waxy starches of low amylose content are responsible for the improvement of cooked white salted noodle texture. Partial waxy wheat flours with >15.1% protein produced bread of larger loaf volume and softer bread crumb even after storage than did the hard red spring wheat flour of 15.3% protein. Regardless of whether malt was used, bread baked from double‐null partial waxy wheat flours exhibited a slower firming rate during storage than bread baked from HRS wheat flour.     

利用SSR标记分析小麦骨干亲本阿夫及衍生品种(系)的遗传多样性和变化趋势

阿夫(Funo)是1956年从国外引进的小麦品种,具有穗大粒多、高抗条锈病、适应性强等特点,是我国麦区进行小麦品种改良的骨干亲本。为探讨小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)骨干亲本阿夫衍生品种(系)间的遗传多样性及变化趋势,从304对引物中筛选出稳定、清晰,有阿夫特异条带的分布于小麦各染色体上的29对SSR引物,对阿夫及衍生品种(系)共200份材料进行了分析。共检测出197个等位变异,每个SSR引物的等位变异范围为3~15个,平均7.41个,其中分布频率低于5%的等位变异数占14.21%,等位位点数在阿夫及衍生品种(系)中有逐代下降的趋势;多态性信息指数(PIC)为0.5499~0.9082,平均为0.7763,PIC在阿夫及衍生品种(系)中有较高含量。3个基因组的SSR位点平均等位变异丰富度分别为7.14、7.73和7.00(B>A>D),平均遗传多样性指数则为0.7687、0.7763和0.7517(B>A>D),B基因组的遗传多样性最丰富。7个部分同源群的平均等位变异丰富度从高到低依次为:第6群>第2群=第4群>第1群=第3群>第7群>第5群;平均遗传多样性指数从高到低依次为:第2群>第7群>第6群>第4群>第1群>第3群>第5群。结合上述2个指标分析,第5部分同源群多样性最低。SSR标记Xgwm268、Xgwm400、Xwmc398、Xwmc125、Xwmc817、Xgwm272和Xgwm383的阿夫特异带型在其衍生品种(系)出现的频率较高,但在不同基因组和染色体间的遗传贡献率存在差异。200份材料间的遗传相似性系数(Gs)在0.4162~0.9442之间,平均为0.6619。从子一代到子四代各衍生世代的Gs变幅逐渐缩小,品种间的遗传相似性呈逐渐上升趋势。非加权平均法(UPGMA)聚类结果表明,在Gs0.624处,供试材料被聚为5个主要类群,其中180(90.0%)份材料被聚在同一类群类,说明阿夫衍生品种(系)之间的遗传差异较小,遗传基础较狭窄。研究结果从分子水平揭示了小麦骨干亲本阿夫衍生品种(系)的遗传多样性和演变规律,鉴定出7个在衍生后代遗传率较高的染色体位点,为进一步解析骨干亲本阿夫的遗传基础提供了参考依据。     

小麦黄绿近等基因系主要生理特性及叶绿体形态结构的比较

探索小麦(Triticum aestivum)叶绿素合成及叶绿体形成发育的遗传和生理机制对小麦高光效育种具有重要意义.为研究叶色变异形成的生理机制及其对叶绿体形成发育的影响,本研究以新创制的3个黄绿小麦近等基因系(near-isogenic lines,NILs)(黄化系1-20YY、黄绿系1-20YG和绿色系1-20GG)为材料,研究不同发育时期的叶片可溶性物质含量和抗氧化酶系统活力等性状,并对其叶绿体形态结构进行了比较分析.结果表明,叶色黄化对叶片可溶性糖含量和可溶性蛋白质含量的影响远大于其对游离脯氨酸含量的影响,除苗期黄化系1-20YY的可溶性糖含量和可溶性蛋白质含量显著低于黄绿系1-20YG和绿色系1-20GG(P＜0.05),各发育期黄绿系1-20YG的可溶性糖含量和可溶性蛋白质含量与绿色系1-20GG的差异不显著.同时,叶色黄化对叶片抗氧化酶系统的活性有一定的影响,其中对过氧化物酶(peroxidase,POD)活性的影响大于其对超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)和过氧化氢酶(hydrogen peroxidase,CAT)活性的影响.从3个NILs的叶绿体形态结构比较分析结果可以看出,黄化系1-20YY叶绿体多呈不规则状且分布趋向叶肉细胞中央,其基质类囊体和基粒类囊体不发达且联结不紧密,与绿色系1-20GG叶绿体形态结构差异明显;而黄绿系1-20YG叶绿体形态与绿色系1-20GG有差异,多呈近球形,但其超微结构与1-20GG系基本一致,基质类囊体和基粒类囊体较发达且联结较为紧密.研究结果为进一步探讨叶色黄化的生物学机制提供了基础资料.     

氮肥缓解苗期干旱对小麦根系形态建成及生理特性的影响

为揭示氮肥缓解苗期干旱对小麦根系生长的影响,以高产高蛋白品种Spitfire(S)和抗旱品种Drysdale(D)为材料,采用沙培方式研究了不同氮素处理(180和22.5 kg·hm^-2)和水分处理(干旱和正常浇水)对苗期小麦根系形态建成和生理生长的影响。结果表明,苗期干旱下增施氮肥减小了2个品种小麦根系总根长、根系表面积、总根体积、根尖数和分枝数,显著增加了根系直径和根系活力,S品种根系干重减小7.0%,而D品种根系干重增加12.0%。施高氮还降低了干旱下2个品种小麦根系可溶性糖含量,并提高了游离氨基酸含量,且耐旱性品种D变化幅度较大,2个品种根系可溶性蛋白含量的变化均不明显。此外,增施氮肥能促进根系对氮素的吸收,提高根系硝酸还原酶(NR)活性和含氮量。综上,在苗期干旱下增施氮肥能够促进小麦根系生长,提高根系活力和NR活性,以增强根系对氮素的吸收同化能力,促进氮代谢水平,从而提高小麦的抗旱性,但不同耐旱品种对干旱下增施氮肥的响应程度存在差异。本研究结果为通过增施氮肥有效缓解干旱进而提高小麦产量提供了理论依据。     

The Influence of Phosphorus Sources on the Growth and Rhizosphere Soil Characteristics of Two Genotypes of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A rhizobox experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of phosphorus (P) sources on the rhizosphere soil characteristics of two wheat genotypes Xiaoyan54 (P-efficient) and Jing411 (P-inefficient), which were colonized with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and grown in Cumulic Haplustoll. The four P sources included a control (no added P), OP [organic P: sodium (Na)-phytate], IP [inorganic P: monopotassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄)], and OPIP (Na-phytate plus KH₂PO₄). The results showed that when no exogenous P was added the shoot biomass of Xiaoyan54 was 28% significantly higher than Jing 411. The acid phosphatase activity (APA) in the rhizosphere soil was significantly depressed when inorganic P was added; the APA for Xiaoyan54 was higher than that of Jing411 in most of the layers regardless of the P source. Inorganic and organic P fertilizer conditions did not significantly impact the soil pH relative to the control, and the pH did not significantly differ between the two genotypes. In conclusion, when no exogenous P was added, shoot biomass of Xiaoyan54 was greater than Jing411. This increase was promoted by greater soil APA but not soil acidification. The rhizosphere soil pH was not altered across different wheat genotypes or P sources, but APA was increased in the soil of control and OP-treated plants compared with IP- and OPIP-treated plants. The APA of Xiaoyan54 was higher than Jing411 for all of the P sources. The response mechanism of rhizosphere soil acidification is different from acid phosphatase exudation in plants receiving different P sources under arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus inoculation.     

Single Kernel Near‐Infrared Analysis of Tetraploid (Durum) Wheat for Classification of the Waxy Condition

Plant breeding programs are active worldwide in the development of waxy hexaploid (Triticum aestivum L.) and tetraploid (T. turgidum L. var. durum) wheats. Conventional breeding practices will produce waxy cultivars adapted to their intended geographical region that confer unique end use characteristics. Essential to waxy wheat development, a means to rapidly and, ideally, nondestructively identify the waxy condition is needed for point‐of‐sale use. The study described herein evaluated the effectiveness of near‐infrared (NIR) reflectance single‐kernel spectroscopy for classification of durum wheat into its four possible waxy alleles: wild type, waxy, and the two intermediate states in which a null allele occurs at either of the two homologous genes (Wx‐1A and Wx‐1B) that encodes for the production of the enzyme granule bound starch synthase (GBSS) that controls amylose synthesis. Two years of breeders' samples (2003 and 2004), corresponding to 47 unique lines subdivided about equally into the four GBSS genotypes, were scanned in reflectance (1,000–1,700 nm) on an individual kernel basis. Linear discriminant analysis models were developed using the best set of four wavelengths, best four wavelength differences, and best four principal components. Each model consistently demonstrated the high ability (typically >95% of the time) to classify the fully waxy genotype. However, correct classification among the three other genotypes (wild type, wx‐A1 null, and wx‐B1 null) was generally not possible.     

In-Season Prediction of Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Grain Protein in Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In a 3-year study, grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and grain protein (GP) were evaluated as a function of rate and timing of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application. Linear models that included preplant N, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), cumulative rainfall, and average air temperature from planting to sensing (T-avg) were evaluated to predict NUE and GP in winter wheat. GreenSeeker readings were collected at Feekes (F) 3, 4, 5, and 7 growth stages. Combined with rainfall and/or T-avg, NDVI alone was not correlated with NUE. However, NDVI and rainfall explained 45% (r² = 0.45) of the variability in GP at F7 growth stage. Preplant N, NDVI, rainfall and growing degree days (GDD) combined explained 76% (r² = 0.76) of the variability in GP at F3. Mid-season climatic data improved the prediction of GP and should therefore be considered for refining fertilizer recommendations when GP levels are expected to be low.