TITLE:
Effect of Weather on Grain Quality Traits of Durum Wheat Grown in the Northern Plains of USA
AUTHORS:
Sara Moayedi, Elias M. Elias, Frank A. Manthey
KEYWORDS:
Durum Wheat, Weather, Grain Quality
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.12 No.12,
December
28,
2021
ABSTRACT: The objective of this
research was to determine the effect of genotype and growing environment,
particularly weather, on grain quality traits of durum wheat using nine
genotypes (Alkabo, Carpio, Divide, Grenora, Joppa, Maier, Mountrail, Pierce,
and Tioga) grown in four years (2012-2015) at six locations in North Dakota,
USA. The results of this research indicated that grain test weight, 1000-kernel
weight, protein content, kernel vitreousness, and falling number were affected
more by environment than by genotype. However, genotypes within an environment
differed in the magnitude of their response and this difference could be used
to select genotypes in a breeding program to improve quality. For a given
quality trait, the magnitude of the response reflects the stability of the
trait to changes in the environment. In general, the quality of durum wheat
grown in the northern plains of USA was favored by warm daytime temperature,
low night temperature, and low relative humidity. Growing locations with high
maximum air temperature and a high number of days with temperature ≥ 30°C
had a positive effect on grain protein content and falling number, while a high
number of days with night time temperature ≤ 13°C were ideal for 1000-kernel
weight. Low rainfall and low relative humidity promoted a high falling number
and vitreous kernel content. The results of this study suggested that genotypes
could be selected based on their overall quality and their stability across
environments. Trait stability could be an important consideration when growers
select genotypes for planting in their fields.