Grain hardness, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, and starch composition are crucial for bread wheat’s end-use quality. Grain hardness is regulated by puroindoline genes (Pina-D1 and Pinb-D1) on chromosome 5D; amylose content by waxy genes (Wx-A1, Wx-B1, Wx-D1) on chromosomes 7A, 4A, and 7D; and PPO activity by Ppo-A1 and Ppo-D1 genes on chromosomes 2A and 2D. To assess molecular diversity for these traits, markers PinA-D1, PPO18, PPO16, PPO29, Waxy-A1, and Waxy-B1 were utilized. For phenotypic evaluation, 298 wheat genotypes (208 landraces and 90 cultivars) were grown in an alpha-lattice design with two replications over two cropping seasons (2018–2019 and 2019–2020), under both well-irrigated and rain-fed conditions at the University of Tehran’s research farm. At harvest, grain quality traits, including protein content, Zeleny sedimentation volume, grain hardness, seed moisture, and water absorption, were measured via near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy. Seed length, width, thickness, circularity, and color indices (L*, a*, b*) were analyzed through digital imaging. The study revealed considerable genetic diversity among landraces and cultivars, with greater variability among landraces. Genotypes 625263, 624941, and 625661 demonstrated superior grain protein content, hardness, and light seed color in both irrigation regimes. These genotypes carried favorable alleles at Waxy-A1 (624941 and 625661), Waxy-B1 (all three), PPO29 (625263 and 625661), and PinA-D1 (all three). These results highlight the value of these landraces as genetic resources for improving wheat grain quality.
Type of Study:
Applicable |
Subject:
Subject 01 Received: 2024/06/17 | Accepted: 2024/07/20 | Published: 2025/10/7