Use of wheat gene resources with different grain colour in breeding.

Abstract

The interest in wheat genetic resources with different grain colour has recently increased. Differences in grain colour are caused by the presence of polyphenols, tannins, anthocyanins and carotenoids. Resources of uncommon grain colour have blue aleurone (Ba genes), purple pericarp (Pp genes) and yellow endosperm (Psy genes), which are determined by the presence of anthocyanins and carotenoids, respectively. These substances have antioxidant activity and are useful for the production of functional foods with positive effects on consumers’ health. In 2011, the winter wheat variety Skorpion with blue aleurone, which had been bred in the Czech Republic, was registered in Austria. The used donor of blue aleurone comes from the heritage of Erich von Tschermak-Seysenegg (1871-1962). The breeding program at Agrotest Fyto, Ltd., Kroměřiž, is focused on the development of winter wheat genotypes with dark grain combining different genes for grain colour and simultaneously agronomic important traits (yield, resistance to stress) and good baking quality. In different kernel tissues there are different amounts of coloured substances that affect their content in bran and flour and, thus, their content in bakery and biscuit products.