Breeding for breadmaking quality using old Hungarian wheat varieties

Due to their broad population diversity, old wheat varieties or landraces play an important role in increasing the genetic variability of agronomic traits. On these grounds, an analysis was made of the high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunit composition of the old Hungarian wheat variety Bánkúti 1201. It was found that several genotypes with differing breadmaking qualities can be distinguished for this character. When using old varieties in breeding, it is possible to broaden the genetic background of characters responsible for breadmaking quality by separating the populations. A more detailed analysis of the protein composition of germplasm created in this way will be required to obtain a better understanding of this complex character for its conscious introduction into breeding programmes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.