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Abstract. The experiment was conducted on a soil type Pellic Vertisols in the experimental field of the Institute of Field Crops – Chirpan in the period 2019 - 2022. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of various predecessors on the grain quality of durum wheat grown under the conditions of organic farming in the region of Chirpan. Some indicators related to the quality of durum wheat grain were studied - protein content, wet gluten content, vitreousness, test weight, yellow pigments content. The influence of various predecessors on the investigated parameters related to grain quality was established. The experiment was conducted with the cultivar Progress. Averaged over the studied period under the specific agro-ecological conditions, the highest grain protein content was found for durum wheat after the predecessor peas (11.7% d.b.) and after the predecessor sunflower (11.6% d.b.), while after the predecessor cotton a lower value (11.2% d.b.) was found for this indicator. The wet gluten content after pea and sunflower predecessors (21.6% d.b.) was higher compared to the wet gluten content after cotton predecessor (19.9% d.b.). On average over the study period, the highest content of yellow pigments was found for durum wheat after predecessor cotton (19.17 Minolta b*), followed by that after sunflower (18.81 Minolta b*) and with the lowest content of yellow pigments was the variant after peas (18.54 Minolta b*).

The range of methods for assessing the quality of grain and its technological properties in cereal crops, of oat in particular, is extremely limited. The available methods are labor-intensive and not always sufficiently informative. The variety of modern processing methods dictates the necessity in searching for more universal and informative assessment methods. Cereal crop breeding also requires high-speed and low-cost methods for assessing grain quality. The present work is a methodological study that uses a limited set oat accessions from the genetic collection of VIR, differing by geographical origin and contrasting technological properties, with an aim of developing a new grain quality assessment method and testing new methods for analyzing technological properties. The resulting criteria are compared with each other and with more traditional indicators. New systems for assessing the technological properties of grain of naked and covered oat have been proposed. A new method of sedimentation analysis for cereal crops is proposed. The diversity of the oat protein complex is exemplified in the results of sedimentation analysis, and of the carbohydrate complex – in the results of its testing by a micro-visco-amylograph. The variety of interactions between oat grain storage substances and wheat material during joint processing is shown by assessing the rheological properties of the dough mixture using a farinograph. The obtained results can be recommended for the assessment for breeding purposes, as well as for obtaining complete information about the quality of oat grain for the purpose of its further processing.

The food industry is very interested in high-yield ingredients to enrich and develop new products that have an affordable value for the population. This work aimed to determine the correlations and contrasts between grain physical and agronomic traits of conventional and transgenic corn hybrids cultivated in the first crop season. The experiments were installed in the 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20 crop seasons in Guarapuava - PR. The experimental design was a randomized block design with eight hybrids (SUPREMO VIP, SUPREMO, P30F53VYH, P30F53, P3456H, P3456, DKB290PRO3, and DKB290) and three replications. The agronomic traits, such as the percentage of rot grains, 1000-grain mass, and grain yield, also the physical traits of grains for industrial purposes, such as grits, germ, vitreousness, flotation, and hectoliter weight, were evaluated. There is a positive correlation between grits and flotation. The choice of hybrids for the food industry based on vitreousness positively favors flotation. The grits showed a positive correlation with hectoliter weight and a negative correlation with the incidence of rot grains. Vitreousness was influenced by the choice of conventional or transgenic hybrid and crop season. The environments of the crop seasons influence the grain yield, 1000-grain mass, and rot grain incidence of conventional and transgenic corn hybrids.

The article presents the results of a study on the effect of a local silicon-containing mineral resource (diatomite) on the yield of the Ukro spring triticale. The studies were conducted in 2014-2016 on a temporary experimental site in Bessonovsky district of Penza region. It was found that the use of diatomite contributed to an increase in the yield and quality of grain of the Ukro spring triticale. The grain yield of the studied variety of spring triticale on average over the years of study varied from 4.00 t/ha in the variant with the introduction of diatomite 2 t/ha to 4.30 t/ha in the variant with the introduction of diatomite 8 t/ha, with the average yield of the variety 3.80 t/ha in the control. Grain-unit, depending on the rate of diatomite, increased by 0.6-20.6 g/l, and vitreousness by 1.0-9.9%. Significant deviations in yield and quality were obtained in variants with rate of diatomite application from 4 to 8 t/ha.

Durum wheat is used as raw material for many foods. Climate change might be responsible for larger or smaller changes in crop yields. For the combined assessment of climate and crop, growing degree days (GDDs) have a crucial role. Two experimental lines and twelve commercial wheat (Triticum durum) varieties from diverse backgrounds were cultivated to compare their crop properties, yield, and protein content in terms of GDDs. The experiment was established in typical Mediterranean environment, using a randomized complete block design with blocks of varieties and lines for two growing seasons. For all varieties, GDDs to head emergence was affected by factor year, whereas GDDs from head emergence to harvest were influenced by both varieties and year. Protein content (%) was not affected by genotypes. Factor of variety and interaction variety × year had an impact on vitreousness; it was ranged from 79.75 % (‘Makaras’ variety) to 44.00 % (‘Levante’ variety). Yield had no statistically significant difference among varieties/lines. In durum wheat cultivation, up to head emergence, when GDDs increased, yield would be declined in contrast to GDDs from emergence to harvest; with the increasing of GDDs to harvest, yield was climbed. Nowadays, the integrations of and interpretation of GDDs in the evaluation of crop performance seem vital.

In the conditions of high competition in the flour market, the development of models that allow to predict the quantitative and qualitative indicators of flour during grain milling and to understand the correlation between grain and flour quality indicators is extremely relevant and requires efforts in this direction. 64 samples of wheat grain from mills situated in different regions of Ukraine, grown in 2019 and 2020 and straight flour obtained from this wheat in the laboratory at the mill MLU-202 were investigated. The data obtained confirmed great variability of grain and flour quality indicators which can depends on many factors: from agro-climatic condition and variety features to milling flow diagram and tempering conditions before milling. Wheat quality indicators are shown next results: test weight values ranged from 727 to 845 g/l, vitreousness – from 25 to 83%, initial moisture content – from 10.4 to 13.7%, protein content – from 11.3 to 17.2%, ash content – from 1.35 to 1.73%, gluten content – from 17.6 to 38.3%, gluten deformation index – from 46 to 96 units and Falling Number – from 309 to 500 seconds. Analyzing of correlations between grain quality indicators and flour quality indicators shown: the direct extra high correlation between grain protein content and flour protein content (r=0.95) and also between grain gluten content and flour gluten content (r=0.87); average correlation between ash content of grain and ash content of flour (r=0.68). According to milling properties was found: average correlation of initial grain moisture content and flour yield (r=0.52), a direct high correlation between grain vitreousness and the ratio of reduction and break flour (r=0.70), and an inverse average correlation of test weight with ratio of break and reduction bran (r=–0.61). It has been established that the flour strength W is affected by a set of grain quality indicators: grain protein content with high coefficient correlation (r=0.70), grain gluten content and grain Falling Number with average correlation coefficients – r=0.53 and r=0.56, respectively. For other rheological indicators, such as stability, water absorption capacity and P/L, no high correlation coefficients were found, since their values depend on a complex of various indicators of grain. The obtained correlations can be used to improve the efficiency of grain blending before milling, to substantiate the modes of tempering, grinding, and flour mixing stage in existing mills, as well as to design a milling flow diagram for new mills.

Grain of spelt winter wheat varieties Zoria Ukrainy and Europa grown under the conditions of Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine was used according to the schedule: 1) without fertilizers (the check variant); 2) P60 + N120; 3) K60 + N120; 4) P60K60 – ground; 5) ground + N120; 6) ground + N60 + N60; 7) ground + N60 S70 + N60. Such fertilizers were applied as ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, granulated superphosphate and potassium chloride. The aim of the study is to determine milling properties of grain of winter wheat varieties depending on species, rules and terms of applying nitrogen fertilizers. Thousand-kernel weight, grain unit and vitreousness are determined. It is found that physical properties vary considerably depending on weather conditions, variety and fertilizer. Improving conditions of nitrogen nutrition mostly increases thousandkernel weight and vitreousness. However, the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers significantly depends on the particular variety. On average over three years of studies thousand-kernel weight of Zoria Ukrainy variety increased from 49.8 g in unfertilized areas to 52.7 g in variants with retail application of nitrogen fertilizers or by 6 %. Using phosphorus, nitrogen and potash and nitrogen fertilizers it increased to 50.0g and applying a complete mineral fertilizer it was up to 52.1 g. In favorable 2014 thousand-kernel weight of Zoria Ukrainy variety was 56.7–57.1 g in single application of nitrogen fertilizers and it was 57.5– 55.6 g with retail application. In 2015 it was 49.8–50.2 g and 50.7–50.9 g, respectively and in 2013 it was 48.3–49.1 g and 49.7–49.8 g. Thousand-kernel weight of Europa variety varies from 52.3 to 55.3 g depending on the fertilization. However, thousand-kernel weight for this variety was the greatest in 2013 because that year plants did not lodge. It is found that vitreousness of grain of Zoria Ukrainy variety without fertilizers is 92 % and rising to 100 % with the retail application of nitrogen fertilizers. Application of phosphorus, nitrogen potash and nitrogen fertilizers and the complete mineral fertilizer increases vitreousness to 99 % or by 7 points compared with the check variant. Vitreousness of grain of Europa variety varies from 78 to 96 % depending on species, rules and terms of application of nitrogen fertilizers

The article presents an analysis of productivity of the present varieties of durum spring wheat in the steppe part of Orenburg Pre-Urals during 2005-2014. The peculiarities of effect of moisture conditions on the change of productivity and technological properties of wheat have been estimated. In the dry years there was a decrease of grain mass, content of protein and gluten quality. The varieties of Samara breeding showed the largest decrease of test weight, and the varieties of Orenburg breeding showed the smallest decrease. The varieties of Samara breeding showed the smallest decrease of protein contents in grain. The varieties of Ukraine breeding showed the most negative effect of dry conditions on their properties. In the dry years in comparison with the wet years there is an increase of the total vitreousness. The varieties of Ukraine and Samara breeding showed the largest increase of it. It is necessary to use the varieties which were found less depressive to dry conditions for more efficient grain production. If the studied varieties are cultivated under limited conditions of GOST in the steppe of Orenburg Pre-Urals, the grain production of 1-3 class can be obtained.

The article presents an analysis of productivity of the present varieties of durum spring wheat in the steppe part of Orenburg Pre-Urals during 2005-2014. The peculiarities of effect of moisture conditions on the change of productivity and technological properties of wheat have been estimated. In the dry years there was a decrease of grain mass, content of protein and gluten quality. The varieties of Samara breeding showed the largest decrease of test weight, and the varieties of Orenburg breeding showed the smallest decrease. The varieties of Samara breeding showed the smallest decrease of protein contents in grain. The varieties of Ukraine breeding showed the most negative effect of dry conditions on their properties. In the dry years in comparison with the wet years there is an increase of the total vitreousness. The varieties of Ukraine and Samara breeding showed the largest increase of it. It is necessary to use the varieties which were found less depressive to dry conditions for more efficient grain production. If the studied varieties are cultivated under limited conditions of GOST in the steppe of Orenburg Pre-Urals, the grain production of 1-3 class can be obtained.

In Europe, durum wheat is traditionally grown primarily in the Mediterranean region. A question arises as to whether now, in a situation of global climate change, the conditions for durum wheat might be more favourable also in countries with temperate continental climate. Field trials at a location in the south-eastern part of the Czech Republic with a typical European continental climate were established in four harvest years (2011 – 2014). Yield, quality and deoxynivalenol content were evaluated and the impact of year and variety was studied. The best quality was achieved in 2013, when 4 of 5 varieties met all the quality requirements for durum wheat according to Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1272 / 2009. The most frequent reason for unsatisfactory quality was loss of vitreousness and low falling number. In 2012, three varieties froze, and this year was therefore excluded from evaluation. Yield varied between 7.6 t ha−1 in 2013 to 10.9 t ha−1 in 2014 and it was in a negative, statistically significant relationship with most of qualitative traits, particularly with vitreousness (r = − 0.72). The strongest correlation between qualitative traits was found between vitreousness and thousand kernel weight (r = − 0.73) and vitreousness and test weight (r = 0.70).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction effect of maize grain texture (dent vs semi-flint) and two different stages of maturity (1/2 vs 3/4 milk line) on ruminal starch degradability and total tract digestibility using in situ and combined in situ-in vitro methods, respectively. The content of whole plant dry matter was 324.6 vs 399.5 g/kg (1/2 vs 3/4 milk line, respectively) for dent maize and 330.2 vs 401.3 g/kg for semi-flint maize. Organic nutrients (neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, ether extract, starch), 1000-grain weight, vitreousness, and mean particle size were determined. The evaluation was performed using two non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulae. Effective degradability of dry matter and starch was calculated at ruminal outflow rates of 4, 6, and 8%/h. Vitreousness was lower for dent than for semi-flint grain, averaging 65.6% and 74.3% (P < 0.001). Ground dent maize grain showed lower mean particle size than did that of semi-flint maize (1.76 vs 1.88 mm, respectively, P < 0.001). Effective starch degradability calculated for the medium outflow rate (6%/h) was 69.1% vs 65.3% (P < 0.01) for dent and semi-flint maize and 69.0% vs 65.4% (P < 0.01) for lower (1/2 milk line) and higher (3/4 milk line) maturity, respectively. Higher (P < 0.001) mean starch total tract digestibility was found for dent maize (88.5%) than for semi-flint maize (82.5%) and for kernels harvested at 1/2 milk line (87.4%) than for those harvested at 3/4 milk line (83.6%, P < 0.001). Small differences in grain texture and silage maturity stage significantly influenced ruminal in situ degradability and total tract in situ-in vitro dry matter and starch digestibility.

Grain hardness is one of the most important quality characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). It is a significant property of wheat grains and relates to milling quality and end product quality. Grain hardness is caused by the presence of puroindoline genes (Pina and Pinb). A collection of 25 genotypes of wheat with unusual grain colour (blue aleurone, purple and white pericarp, yellow endosperm) was studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diversity within Pina and Pinb (alleles: Pina-D1a, Pina-D1b, Pinb-D1a, Pinb- -D1b, Pinb-D1c and Pinb-D1d). The endosperm structure was determined by a non-destructive method using light transfl ectance meter and grain hardness by a texture analyser. Genotype Novosibirskaya 67 and isogenic ANK lines revealed hitherto unknown alleles at the locus for the annealing of primers of Pinb-D1. Allele Pinb-D1c was found to be absent from each genotype. The mealy endosperm ranged from 0 to 100 % and grain hardness from 15.10 to 26.87 N per sample.

The predominance of vitreous endosperm in hard texture flint corn (Zea mays L.) can decrease ruminal starch digestion comparatively to the farinaceous endosperm of dent corn, reducing energy content of the grain. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of texture and maturity stage on ruminal degradability of corn grain. Two dent and two flint hybrids were harvested at the early dent, half milk line, and black layer stages. The proportion of vitreous endosperm (vitreousness) in dent hybrids was 44.3%, while in flint it was 67.0%. There was a linear increase in vitreousness with advancing maturity. Flint hybrids at the early dent stage were more vitreous than dent at the black layer stage. The increase in vitreousness per maturation day was greater for flint hybrids. Grains were incubated in situ in the rumen of 6 cows. The 24-hour ruminal dry matter degradation was 63.3% for dent corn and 52.4% for flint corn. The 72-hour incubation residues of dent and flint hybrids were 7.6% and 15.6%, respectively. Ruminal degradability was similar between hybrids at the early dent and half milk line stages. There was a marked texture effect on ruminal degradability at the black layer stage (quadratic effect of maturity stage and interaction between texture and maturity stage). Use of dent hybrids, compared to flint hybrids, may result in smaller relative reduction in ruminal starch digestion in situations of late grain harvesting.A predominância de endosperma vítreo em milho (Zea mays L.) flint de textura dura pode deprimir a digestão ruminal do amido comparativamente ao endosperma farináceo de milho dentado, reduzindo o conteúdo energético do grão. O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar os efeitos da textura e do estádio de maturidade sobre a degradabilidade ruminal de grãos de milho. Dois híbridos dentados e dois duros foram colhidos nos estádios dentado inicial, metade da linha do leite e linha preta. A proporção de endosperma vítreo (vitreosidade) dos híbridos dentados foi 44,3% e a dos duros foi 67,0%. Ocorreu aumento linear na vitreosidade com o avançar da maturidade. Os híbridos duros no estádio dentado inicial foram mais vítreos que os dentados no estádio linha preta. O aumento na vitreosidade por dia de maturação foi maior nos híbridos duros. Os grãos foram incubados in situ no rúmen de 6 vacas. A degradação ruminal da matéria seca em 24 horas foi 63,3% nos grãos dentados e 52,4% nos duros. O resíduo após 72 horas de incubação de híbridos dentados e duros foram 7,6% e 15,6%, respectivamente. A degradabilidade ruminal dos híbridos foi similar nos estádios dentado inicial e metade da linha do leite. O efeito da textura sobre a degradabilidade ruminal foi acentuado no estádio linha preta (P < 0,01 para o efeito quadrático de estádio de maturação e para a interação entre textura e estádio de maturação). A utilização de híbridos dentados, comparativamente a híbridos duros, pode resultar em menor queda relativa na digestão ruminal do amido em situações de colheita tardia dos grãos.