Selenium (Se) is essential for health of humans, animals, and plants. Especially wheat is a major source of Se in the terrestrial food chain. In this study, an element analysis was optimized and the content of Ca, Mg, K, S, P, Fe, Se, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Mo in leaves, roots, and seeds were measured during growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Manu) in Hoagland nutrient solution with 5 and 15 μM Na2SeO4. Se was transported to all investigated tissues and accumulated in the seeds in proportion to used amounts. The supplementation of Se, independently of concentration, weakly modified the micro- and macro-elements content in the seedlings. In the flag-leaf stage, an increase of the Mo and S content in the shoots and the S and Cu content in the roots was found. Moreover, in the generative phase, a decrease in Ca and Fe in the roots was registered. Increased Se in the nutrient solution strongly stimulated the Se accumulation in the seeds.

In a long-term field experiment winter wheat was grown in crop rotations with 40, 60 and 80% proportion of cereals. Two levels of fertilization were used: H1 - mineral fertilization N, P, K + organic fertilization Veget®; H2 - only mineral fertilization N, P, K. Winter what was grown after two preceding crops: pea and winter barley. In 2010-2012 the grain yield of winter wheat after pea was statistically higher at fertilization with mineral fertilizers N, P, K and organic manure Veget® (7.15 t/ha) in comparison with mineral fertilizers only (6.65 t/ha). In crop rotation with 80% of cereals the grain yield of winter wheat after pea as a preceding crop was statistically higher (6.81 t/ha) than after winter barley (5.59 t/ha). The rising of grain yield at 1.9 t/ha was achieved by suitable preceding crop (pea) and by combined fertilization (mineral fertilizers N, P, K + organic manure Veget®). The grain yield of winter wheat 5.24 t was obtained by mineral fertilization N, P, K only and after winter barley. By mineral fertilization N, P, K + organic manure Veget®) and after pea as a preceding crop the grain yield of winter wheat 7.14 t/ha was reached.

Four Indian and one Japanese accession of Imperata cylindrica were assessed for their influence upon haploid production in F1 generations of 21 wheat crosses (winter × spring, spring × spring and winter × winter) to find an efficient pollen source for haploid induction, which would enhance doubled haploid breeding in bread wheat. The frequency of haploid induction was influenced differently by the wheat and the I. cylindrica genotypes, indicating both maternal and paternal genetic influence on haploid induction. The gene actions controlling the inheritance of haploid induction appeared to be non-additive. Haploid formation efficiency was closely associated with other haploid induction parameters, i.e. pseudoseed formation, embryo formation and haploid regeneration. Amongst wheat F1 groups, spring × spring wheats exhibited the highest potential for haploid induction. General combining ability for haploid production was highest for the, I. cylindrica genotype Ic-Aru, native to the northeastern Himalayas, which appears as a potential pollen source for efficient haploid induction in bread wheat.

A pot experiment was conducted to study interactive effects of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AMs) and maize (Zea mays L.) straws on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and organic carbon (C) storage in a sterilized sandy loam soil. The experiment included four treatments: control, inoculation with AM fungus Glomus caledonium (M), amendment with maize straw (S), and amendment with maize straw plus inoculation with G. caledonium (S + M). The inoculation of G. caledonium significantly (P < 0.05) increased wheat root biomass and root-to-straw ratio, but had no significant effects on shoot biomass, grain yield, and soil parameters. The amendment of maize straw significantly (P < 0.05) decreased soil pH, wheat root biomass, and root-to-straw ratio, and significantly (P < 0.05) increased soil invertase and alkaline phosphatase activities, but had no significant effects on shoot biomass, grain yield, soil organic C content, and urease activity. The combined application of G. caledonium and maize straw had no significant effects on root mycorrhizal colonization rate compared to the M treatment, while significantly (P < 0.05) increased wheat root biomass and significantly (P < 0.05) decreased soil pH compared to the S treatment, and also significantly (P < 0.05) increased grain yield, soil organic C content, and urease activity compared to the control. The Two-Way ANOVA also showed interactive effects of G. caledonium and maize straw on soil pH (P < 0.05) and wheat grain yield (P < 0.01), and the redundancy analysis result indicated the potential application of AM fungi in straw-returned fields.

Albumins, globulins, gliadins, and glutenins were isolated from wheat flour and the effects of those proteins on retrogradation of wheat starch were investigated. The results showed that only glutenins retarded retrogradation of wheat starch and other 3 proteins promoted it. The results of IR spectra proved that no S–S linkage formed during retrogradation of wheat starch blended with wheat proteins. Combination of wheat starch and globulins or gliadins through glucosidic bonds hindered the hydrolysis of wheat starch by α‐amylase. The melting peak temperatures of retrograded wheat starch attached to different proteins were 128.46, 126.14, 132.03, 121.65, and 134.84 °C for the control with no protein, albumins, glutenins, globulins, gliadins groups, respectively, and there was no second melting temperature for albumins group. Interaction of wheat proteins and starch in retrograded wheat starch greatly decreased the endothermic enthalpy (△H) of retrograded wheat starch. Retrograded wheat starch bound to gliadins might be a new kind of resistant starch based on glycosidic bond between starch and protein.

In the present study, the influence of moisture content, temperature and time during heat treatment of wheat flour was investigated. Heat treatment was carried out on laboratory scale in a water bath at 50–90 ℃ for times up to 3 h. Flour functionality was evaluated by analysing protein solubility in acetic acid as well as by the formation of bread-like doughs, which were then analysed with dynamic oscillatory and rotational rheometry. Effects during heat treatment were explained on a molecular level using a simplified physical model describing wheat dough as a continuous gluten matrix with starch as filler particles. Heat treatment causes the formation of gluten aggregates resulting in decreased protein solubility and lower network strength of dough. Rheological data also indicate the formation of starch aggregates and modified interactions between gluten and starch. The effects were more pronounced in heat-treated flours with increased moisture content due to a higher mobility of the molecules.

The aim of this work was to assess the influence of wheat bran addition on the rheological properties of dough and on subsequent wheat bread volume and texture. Two types of bioprocessed bran (fermentation with yeast or with yeast plus enzymes) were studied in breadmaking at a substitution level of 20% (sufficient to deliver 6 g of dietary fiber per 100 g of product, the minimum for the European Food Safety Authority high-fiber nutrition claim). Fermentation activated endogenous enzymes of bran, which together with exogenous enzymes modified the state of fiber in bran, resulting in solubilization of arabinoxylans and slight degradation of the insoluble fiber. Fermentation and enzyme treatment of bran compensated for the increased hardness (+100%) and the volume-decreasing (–21%) effect observed with untreated bran. Analysis with partial least squares regression suggested the efficacy of bioprocessing to be based on solubilization of arabinoxylans, smaller particle size of bran, lower pasting viscosity of starch, improved resistance to extension, and accelerated CO₂ production.

Cassava, also known as tapioca, is grown for its enlarged starch-filled roots in Nigeria, Thailand, Brazil, Zaire, and Indonesia, and production is continuing to increase in Africa and Asia. Currently, Southeast Asia is the leading producer of cassava for industrial uses and trade. As high-quality cassava starch becomes increasingly available, its utilization as a replacement for sugar via enzymatic hydrolysis to sweeteners will offer local producers an opportunity for economic advancement and improved standard of living. Knowledge gained from the processing of starch from maize and wheat can be applied to cassava processing. Improvements to existing processes would be needed, however, as cassava has lower amylose content and lower impurities such as lipids and proteins compared to other plants.

In order to study of cultivation system and plant residue effects on weed population of sugar beet, two year experiments were conducted in 2012 and 2013 in Karaj, Iran. Experimental treatments were cultivation systems as main plot (including: conservation tillage and prevalent system) and wheat residue amounts as sub plot (including: 0, 1, 3 and 5 ton/ha) that arranged as split plot experiment with randomized complete block design and 4 replications. Weed density and dry matter and sugar beet yield were traits that evaluated in this experiment. Two years experimental results indicated that weed population was more in conservation system than prevalent system. In addition, weed dry matter were decreased with increasing of wheat residue amounts. However, the difference between 3 and 5 ton/ha was not significant. In comparison with usual field preparation system, sugar beet root yield was low in conservation tillage (45 % lower in two years). Key words: Non-chemical management

Information about the changes in soil properties upon change in the agricultural management system is essential for sustainability of the system. The long-term (15 years) impact of zero tillage in wheat under rice–wheat cropping system in semi-arid region of Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) was evaluated for physical properties, organic carbon build up, root growth and wheat productivity in different textured soils. The conventional (CT, two harrowing, one cultivator and planking) and zero tillage (ZT, direct drilling) systems were investigated.ZT increased soil organic carbon significantly to a depth of 0.10, 0.15 and 0.25m in sandy loam, loam and clay loam soil, respectively, indicating its buildup to deeper depths with increase in fineness of soil texture. Carbon stock in surface 0.4m soil depth increased by 19.0, 34.7 and 38.8% over CT in 15 years in sandy loam, loam and clay loam soil, respectively. The corresponding carbon sequestration rates were 0.24, 0.46 and 0.62Mgha−1year−1. It reduced the plough pan, however, a significant increase in bulk density was observed in surface 0.05m in sandy loam and 0.10m in both loam and clay loam soils. Water dispersible silt+clay reduced indicating better soil aggregation. Saturated hydraulic conductivity increased significantly only to a depth of 0.10m but with varying magnitudes. Increase in magnitude in surface 0.05m layer was highest in loam (51%) followed by sandy loam (40%) and clay loam (38%) soil. Although ZT increased water retention and aeration porosity but increase in field water capacity was significant to a deeper depth (0.15m) in clay loam soil. Water intake rate also increased significantly in clay loam soil (28%) over CT. The root biomass increased significantly and the highest increase was recorded in loam (81%) followed by sandy loam (70%) and clay loam (42%) soil. In addition, ZT encouraged roots to penetration deeper in the soils.In spite of improved soil physical properties and root growth under ZT, the significant increase in mass of grains and consequently the wheat yield, was observed only in clay loam soil indicating that the physical properties of other soils under CT have not reached to a stage limiting plant growth and yields. Study concludes that the ZT practice in wheat under rice–wheat system of semi-arid region of IGP in Haryana may be adopted for sustaining productivity of the system but the implementation of the practice must be promoted in fine textured soils.