Quality of winter wheat in relation to heat and drought shock after anthesis

Abstract

Raw material quality, which is influenced not only by the protein content, insoluble protein polymers, and glutenin-to-gliadin ratio but also by the starch granule size, is very important for the quality of bakery products. This study investigated the effect of high temperature and drought (during grain-filling) on the quality and components yield of five winter wheat varieties. Drought and drought + heat were found to have a much greater influence on the yield and quality than heat stress alone. Averaged over the varieties, the yield losses were 57% after drought, 76% after drought + heat, and only 31% after heat stresses. The reductions in the unextractable polymeric protein fraction and glutenin-to-gliadin ratio indicated a poorer grain yield quality, despite the higher protein content. Quality deterioration was observed after drought or drought + heat, while high temperatures alone resulted in no change or in a better ratio of protein components. A significant negative correlation was observed between starch granule size and relative protein content after drought, demonstrating that this parameter contributes, together with protein, to the baking quality of the flour.