Changes in bread-making quality attributes of bread wheat varieties cultivated in Spain during the 20th century

Genetic gains in quality traits were assessed in grain samples from 4 field experiments involving 16 bread wheat varieties representative of those most widely cultivated in Spain during the 20th century. The allelic composition at three glutenin loci (Glu-A1, Glu-B1, and Glu-D1) was obtained by PCR-based DNA markers and published references. From 1930 to 2000 grain protein content decreased by −0.030% y⁻¹, or in relative terms by −0.21% y⁻¹, but the protein produced per hectare increased by 0.39% y⁻¹. Alveographic tests revealed significant changes in dough rheological properties. Dough strength (W) and tenacity (P) increased at relative rates of 1.38% y⁻¹ and 0.99% y⁻¹, respectively, while dough extensibility (L) decreased by −0.46% y⁻¹, resulting in an increase of 1.45% y⁻¹in dough equilibrium (P/L). The rise in protein quality could be related to the replacement of the null allele by subunits 1 or 2* at Glu-A1 and the prevalence of subunits 7 + 8 and 5 + 10 at Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 loci, respectively, in the most recent varieties. Dough extensibility was affected by water input during the crop cycle, this relationship being partially explained by the presence of the 5 + 10 HMW glutenin subunit. Fermentation tolerance was improved in the most modern varieties. Collapse during fermentation was avoided only in doughs with a W ≥ 159 J × 10⁻⁴ and a P/L ≥ 0.56 mm H₂O mm⁻¹, levels achieved by most of the modern varieties. The over-strong and unbalanced rheological properties of some modern varieties resulted in highly porous doughs, and no clear advances in dough maximum height during fermentation were attained.