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.