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This study aimed to analyze the protein complex and the content of selected microelements in the grain of seven Triticum dicoccum (Schrank ex. Schübl) genotypes. Discontinuous fractionation of the grain protein complex shows that gliadins (60.69%) were the most predominant fraction. Together with glutenins, they represent storage proteins with a share of 82.30%. Individual genotypes differed significantly in the amount of cytoplasmic proteins represented by albumins and globulins. SDS-PAGE results show that the majority of proteins were fractions with a relative molecular weight of 33 kDa – 96 kDa. Using ELISA with G12 monoclonal antibody high content of celiac active proteins was recorded, specifically 58.63 – 83.45 mg/kg of grain. Triticum dicoccum is therefore not suitable for celiacs. The ICP-OES method was used to determine the content of microelements. Of the nutritionally significant microelements, Triticum dicoccum contained important K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations.

Investigating the genetic diversity and population structure of wheat germplasm is crucial for understanding the underlying variability essential for breeding programs and germplasm preservation. This research aims to contribute novel insights with respect to the genetic makeup and relationships among these wheat genotypes, shedding light on the diversity present within the Turkish wheat germplasm. In this study, iPBS-retrotransposon markers were employed to analyze 58 wheat genotypes, encompassing 54 landraces and 4 cultivars sourced from Türkiye. These markers serve as genetic indicators that can be used to evaluate genetic variation, build genealogical trees, and comprehend evolutionary connections. The PCR products were visualized on agarose gel, and bands were scored as present/absent. The ten iPBS primers collectively yielded an average of 16.3 alleles, generating a total of 163 polymorphic bands. The number of alleles produced by individual markers ranged from 4 (iPBS-2386) to 29 (iPBS-2219). The genetic parameters were calculated using the popgen and powermarker programs. The genetic relationships and population structures were assessed using the ntsys and structure programs. Polymorphism information content (PIC) per marker varied from 0.13 (iPBS-2390) to 0.29 (iPBS-2386), with an average value of 0.22. Shannon's information index (I) was calculated as 1.48, while the number of effective alleles (Ne) and Nei's genetic diversity (H) were determined to be 0.26 and 0.31, respectively. Genotype numbers 3 (Triticum dicoccum) and 10 (Triticum monococcum) exhibited the maximum genetic distance of 0.1292, signifying the highest genetic disparity. Population structure analysis revealed the segregation of genotypes into three distinct subpopulations. Notably, a substantial portion of genotypes clustered within populations correlated with the wheat species. This population structure result was consistent with the categorization of genotypes based on wheat species. The comprehensive assessment revealed noteworthy insights with respect to allele distribution, polymorphism content, and population differentiation, offering valuable implications for wheat breeding strategies and germplasm conservation efforts. In addition, the iPBS markers and wheat genotypes employed in this study hold significant potential for applications in wheat breeding research and germplasm preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) is of great interest as an insurance crop that can ensure the stability of the gross harvest of feed and food grains at a lower cost. In Western Siberia, only winter triticale varieties are cultivated, however, spring triticales are important for cultivation in regions not suitable for winter crops. To create spring varie ties with high yields and good grain quality, it is necessary to study and enrich the gene pool, identify donors of economically valuable traits. One of the possible ways to solve this problem can be through the production of secondary hexaploid triticales with the involvement of the tetraploid wild-growing species of emmer wheat Triticum dicoccum (Schrank) Schuebl. The aim of this work was to create and study hybrids of emmer T. dicoccum (Schrank) Schuebl. with hexaploid triticale using genomic in situ hybridization for staining of meiotic chromosomes and analysis of plant productivity elements in F4–F8. DT4, DT5, DT6 plants and the prebreeding F6 forms obtained from them – DT 4/168, DT 5/176 and DT 6/186 – were selected according to the characteristics of the productivity and the nature of the grain in the F4 hybrid population. The offspring of hybrids DT4 and DT5 and prebreeding forms DT 4/168 and DT 5/176 had an increased grain nature (over 750 g/l), but low productivity. The hybrid DT6 and the breeding form DT 6/186 obtained from it had high grain productivity (785 ± 41 and 822 ± 74 g/m2, respectively), but, like the paternal form of triticale UK 30/33, had a reduced nature of the grain. In F8 DT 6/186 plants, 7 homologous pairs of rye chromosomes and from 27 to 30 wheat chromosomes were found in meiosis, which indicates the presence of a complete rye genome and two wheat ААВВ genomes. Rye chromosomes showed stable formation of bivalents in contrast to wheat chromosomes, which caused the presence of aneuploids in plant populations. Thus, hexaploid forms DT 4/168 and DT 5/176 with well-made smooth grain and high grain size were obtained, which can be used as a source of this trait for selection of food-grade triticale. DT 6/186 is a promising form for further breeding in order to obtain high-yielding forms of triticale.

Durum wheat breeding relies on grain yield improvement to meet its upcoming demand while coping with climate change. Kernel size and shape are the determinants of thousand kernel weight (TKW), which is a key component of grain yield, and the understanding of the genetic control behind these traits supports the progress in yield potential. The present study aimed to dissect the genetic network responsible for kernel size components (length, width, perimeter, and area) and kernel shape traits (width-to-length ratio and formcoefficient) as well as their relationships with kernel weight, plant height, and heading date in durum wheat. Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) mapping was performed on a segregating population of 110 recombinant inbred lines, derived from a cross between the domesticated emmer wheat accession MG5323 and the durum wheat cv. Latino, evaluated in four different environments. A total of 24 QTLs stable across environments were found and further grouped in nine clusters on chromosomes 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4B, 6B, and 7A. Among them, a QTL cluster on chromosome 4B was associated with kernel size traits and TKW, where the parental MG5323 contributed the favorable alleles, highlighting its potential to improve durum wheat germplasm. The physical positions of the clusters, defined by the projection on the T. durum reference genome, overlapped with already known genes (i.e., BIG GRAIN PROTEIN 1 on chromosome 4B). These results might provide genome-based guidance for the efficient exploitation of emmer wheat diversity in wheat breeding, possibly through yield-related molecular markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Durum wheat breeding relies on grain yield improvement to meet its upcoming demand while coping with climate change. Kernel size and shape are the determinants of thousand kernel weight (TKW), which is a key component of grain yield, and the understanding of the genetic control behind these traits supports the progress in yield potential. The present study aimed to dissect the genetic network responsible for kernel size components (length, width, perimeter, and area) and kernel shape traits (width-to-length ratio and formcoefficient) as well as their relationships with kernel weight, plant height, and heading date in durum wheat. Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) mapping was performed on a segregating population of 110 recombinant inbred lines, derived from a cross between the domesticated emmer wheat accession MG5323 and the durum wheat cv. Latino, evaluated in four different environments. A total of 24 QTLs stable across environments were found and further grouped in nine clusters on chromosomes 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4B, 6B, and 7A. Among them, a QTL cluster on chromosome 4B was associated with kernel size traits and TKW, where the parental MG5323 contributed the favorable alleles, highlighting its potential to improve durum wheat germplasm. The physical positions of the clusters, defined by the projection on the T. durum reference genome, overlapped with already known genes (i.e., BIG GRAIN PROTEIN 1 on chromosome 4B). These results might provide genome-based guidance for the efficient exploitation of emmer wheat diversity in wheat breeding, possibly through yield-related molecular markers.

The aim of this study was to improve the nutritional value and functional properties of noodles with the utilization of different primitive wheat and also whole egg. For this purpose, flours of two different primitive wheat (Triticum monococcum and Triticum dicoccum) were used in noodle formulation replaced with wheat flour at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% ratio. Physical, chemical, textural, and functional properties of noodles were investigated. Noodle production was carried out with and without whole egg, and the effect of egg on noodle properties was also investigated. Noodle containing Triticum dicoccum showed higher levels of protein, fat, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content compared to Triticum monococcum –containing samples. Whole egg usage significantly (p < 0.05) affected the ash, fat, protein content, antioxidant activity, total yellow pigment, color value (L*, a* and b*), and cooking properties of noodle samples. The increased ratio of primitive wheat flour significantly improved the overall measured chemical properties of the noodles. Sensory analysis showed that primitive wheat had closer sensory scores to each other, and their usage above 50% affected sensory parameters negatively, on the other hand, the use of egg in noodle formulation had a positive effect on all parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fermentation process has been widely used to improve plant-based foods' nutritional and nutraceutical properties. This study aimed to investigate and compare the impact of sourdough fermentation on the bioactive content and profile, antioxidant and antihypertensive activities, as well as the anti-inflammatory properties of fermented (FS) and non-fermented (NFS) flour from Tuscan Triticum dicoccum wheat (spelt) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-inflamed human intestinal epithelial cells (HT-29). FS showed significantly higher total phenolic and flavonoid content, in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant activities, and ACE-inhibitory activities than NFS. Gallic acid was identified by HPLC-DAD as the most representative polyphenol, followed by rutin, trans-ferulic acid, iso-quercitrin, and quercetin, in the fermented spelt sample. Instead, rutin and gallic acid were identified as the predominant compounds in the non-fermented ones. Moreover, FS exhibited a better protective effect on inflamed HT-29 cells by significantly counteracting the TNFα-induced alterations, lowering the expression of IL-8, COX-2, and ICAM-1 inflammatory mediator while enhancing antioxidant enzyme HO-1 gene expression. In conclusion, sourdough fermentation positively affected the nutraceutical and functional properties of spelt, which may represent a valuable ingredient for the formulation of functional foods and a key product for managing hypertension and inflammatory intestinal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The influence of different concentrations of cadmium on root elongation, exudative activity of roots and seminal root angle of two wheat genotypes: common bread wheat – Triticum aestivum L. (cv. 'Favorytka') and emmer wheat – Triticum dicoccum Schrank. (cv. 'Holikovska') have been studied in the germination stage. Rapid changes in morphofunctional traits upon first three days of exposure to cadmium on early stages of growth have been studied on phenotyping plates with 25, 50 and 100 µM addition to agar-acid/base indicator medium. Significant inhibition of root elongation, exudative root activity and changes in seminal root angle were observed. Exposure to the highest Cd concentration led to a decrease in primal root length by 50%, decrease in root exudative activity by 88% and decrease in seminal root angle by 24 degrees in T. aestivum compared to a decrease by 12%, 83% and 17 degrees in T. dicoccum. Unlike root growth retardation, a decrease in exudative activity was observed on all three Cd concentrations. The root growth performance at starting stage of seedlings ontogenesis proposed as an express and sensitive phenotyping test method for determining plant response to edaphic stressors by cadmium toxicity example.

In this work, we studied the effects of in vitro oxidative stress applied by H2O2 to maize pollen germination and cytosolic Ca2+, taken as an experimental model to test the biological activity of extracts of emmer (Triticum turgidum L. spp. dicoccum (Schrank ex Shubler) Thell.) wheatgrass obtained from grains sprouted with distilled water, or salinity (50 mM) or selenium (45 mg L−1 of Na2SeO3). Wheatgrass extracts were obtained in two ways: by direct extraction in methanol, which represented the free phenolic fraction of extracts (Ef), and by residual content after alkaline digestion, which made it possible to obtain extracts with the bound fraction (Eb). Comparative tests on maize pollen were carried out by differently combining H2O2 and either wheatgrass extracts or pure phenolic acids (4-HO benzoic, caffeic, p-coumaric and salicylic). The cytosolic Ca2+ of maize pollen was influenced by either H2O2 or pure phenolic acids or Ef, but not by Eb. The negative effect of H2O2 on maize pollen germination and cytosolic Ca2+ was mitigated by Ef and, slightly, by Eb. The extent of the biological response of Ef depended on the sprouting conditions (i.e., distilled water, salinity or selenium). The extracts of Se-biofortified wheatgrass were the most effective in counteracting the oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of drought stress modelling by polyethene glycol (PEG) on water status, total soluble protein, proline and carbo­hydrates content in the roots and leaves tissues of three drought resistance wheat genotypes – Triticum aestivum L. (Podolianka, Favorytka) and Triticum dicoccum Schrank. (Holikovska) have been studied. Tested varieties of bread wheat and emmer wheat presented the resilience-aniso­hydric strategy for water balance regulation retaining a high level of relative water content, great variability in organic solutes with osmo­protective properties (total soluble protein, total carbohydrates and free proline) accumulation and retaining the level of low molecular weight proteins in response to drought with noticeable distinctions amid the varieties. However, drought stress increased the efficiency of accumu­lation of osmoprotectants either protein or carbohydrate nature in all three tested varieties of wheat seedlings.

Wheat genus belongs to the main grain crops in Ukraine and in the world. An important element of its cultivation technology, which affects productivity, is the use of high yield varieties resistant to biotic and abiotic stressors. Therefore, the aim of a study was evaluation of polyethylene glycol-modeling drought stress adaptive responses of different varieties of wheat germs (Triticum aestivum and Triticum dicoccum) on such parameters as water shortages, relative water content, roots damage membranes and dehydrogenase activity and photosynthetic pigments content. Studied varieties of common bred wheat and emmer wheat presented resilience-anisohydric response maintaining high relative water content, increasing of root length / shoot length ratio and maintaining the ratio of photosynthetic pigments in response to drought with marked differences among the varieties. According to the result of the research Holikovska variety (Triticum dicoccum) is the most drought- resistant variety which makes it promising for use in breeding for drought tolerance. Because of resilience-anisohydric behaviour patterns might be the beneficial strategy for growing under drought stress conditions.

Turkey has a role in the distribution of many plants across continents and it is the main center of wheat. Due to its climatic characteristics and geostrategic importance, Turkey also has important genetic resources for the cultivation and development for many local wheat varieties. Therefore, it is important to determine local wheat genotypes that can adapt to different ecological conditions in Turkey and define ones having high performance in terms of efficiency and quality characteristics to make them useful. Emmer wheat which is grown in and around Kars City in northeastern Anatolia region is seen as valuable. In the present study, the phylogeographic structure analyses of 10 emmer (Triticum dicoccum Schrank) wheat populations and 2 populations of cultivated wheat (Triticum aestivum) obtained from Kars region were made by Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR). Within the scope of the study, Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA), phylogenetic analysis, and genetic-geographic distance analysis were performed. 3 main groups of differentiation at the populations were supported by PCoA and phylogenetic analyses. The comparison between geographic and genetic distance matrices for all genotypes revealed a statistically negative correlation (R2=0.04). Emmer wheat is an important local genetic resource and the cultivation area in agriculture should be expanded and used in breeding studies. In addition, it has been determined that SSR markers can give more comprehensive results with higher numbers in wheat genotyping studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the genetic diversity of twelve populations for cultivated emmer (Triticum dicoccum Schrank ex Schübl) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) species, which are important wheat gene resources and grown in different villages in Kars province (Turkey), using eleven microsatellite markers. SSR primers produced a total of 41 alleles and the average polymorphism percentage was 86.2%. The average number of alleles obtained from primers was 3.72. Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) values varied between 0.14 and 0.37 with the means of 0.26 value. The primers of Xgwm-46 (0.287), Xgwm-154 (0.304) and Xgwmn-361 (0.325) were identified as the most effective primers in understanding the genetic diversity of emmer genotypes. Local emmer wheat had a little higher allelic richness and gene diversity than cultivated wheat. Due to geographic and climatic variations, genetic differentiation was detected in these wheat populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author performed the genomic analysis of the Triticum dicoccum Schrnk hybrid. X Aegilops ventricosa Tausch. The observations described would indicate that one of the genomes of Ae. ventricosa is homologous to a genome of Tr. dicoccum. In addition, some chromosomes from another genome of Ae. ventricosa pair with Tr chromosomes. dicoccum. The bivalents form rings, the pairing is often telosynthetic. Some Geminis are heteromorphic. The second genome is therefore not homologous, because its pairing is partial. Chromosome distribution responds to the behavior of genomes in meiosis. Based on the observations, it is necessary to monitor the cytosystematic relationship between Ae. ventricosa and Tr. dicoccum. It is not debatable that Tr. dicoccoides supplied their AB genomes in the classic essays by Me Fadden and Sears (1946) for the synthesis of Tr. spelta. It would result from this that the cyto-taxonomic separation of Tr. The dicoccum of the other members of Emmer's series presents well-founded contradictions. It is more likely that the formula for Ae. ventricsa. The D genome is not disputable as it has many analyzes between the genomes of the Pachystachys section. Possibly we have to revise the genome M changing it for one of the genomes (A or B). by Tr. dicoccum. It is necessary to emphasize that Ae. ventricosa differs in its geographic distribution from the other members of the Pachystachys section. This also supports the above data that the cytosystematic position of Ae. ventricosa needs to be modified.

The influence of different concentrations of cadmium on root elongation, exudative activity of roots and seminal root angle of two wheat genotypes: common bread wheat – Triticum aestivum L. (cv. 'Favorytka') and emmer wheat – Triticum dicoccum Schrank. (cv. 'Holikovska') have been studied in the germination stage. Rapid changes in morphofunctional traits upon first three days of exposure to cadmium on early stages of growth have been studied on phenotyping plates with 25, 50 and 100 μM addition to agar-acid/base indicator medium. Significant inhibition of root elongation, exudative root activity and changes in seminal root angle were observed. Exposure to the highest Cd concentration led to a decrease in primal root length by 50%, decrease in root exudative activity by 88% and decrease in seminal root angle by 24 degrees in T. aestivum compared to a decrease by 12%, 83% and 17 degrees in T. dicoccum. Unlike root growth retardation, a decrease in exudative activity was observed on all three Cd concentrations. The root growth performance at starting stage of seedlings ontogenesis proposed as an express and sensitive phenotyping test method for determining plant response to edaphic stressors by cadmium toxicity example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a total of 12 genotypes were used, including 1 hulled emmer and 11 registered ones which are important as genetic resources and for durum wheat cultivation. The responses of these genotypes to different drought stress levels were determined in vitro. In this research, to create drought stress, high molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) was used. In the trials, 5 different PEG 6000 doses were administered to induce drought stress with rates of 0 (control), -0.50 bar, -1.48 bar, -2.95 bar and -4.91 bar. During the experiments, after the callus was formed with the endosperm supported mature embryo culture, regeneration capacity and plantlets they formed were evaluated by applying different levels of drought stress to the callus. Using these parameters, stress tolerance index, stress sensitivity index and tolerance index values of durum wheat genotypes were calculated. According to the results, there was a significant decrease in all parameters examined with the increase of drought stress. While Artuklu and Sarıçanak-98 cultivars had the highest drought tolerance, Çakmak-79, ÇeÅŸit-1252, Eminbey and Kunduru-1149 cultivars were sensitive to drought and Triticum dicoccum, which is an important gene source, was also sensitive. In this study, a total of 12 genotypes were used, including 1 hulled emmer and 11 registered ones which are important as genetic resources and for durum wheat cultivation. The responses of these genotypes to different drought stress levels were determined in vitro. In this research, to create drought stress, high molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) was used. In the trials, 5 different PEG 6000 doses were administered to induce drought stress with rates of 0 (control), -0.50 bar, -1.48 bar, -2.95 bar and -4.91 bar. During the experiments, after the callus was formed with the endosperm supported mature embryo culture, regeneration capacity and plantlets they formed were evaluated by applying different levels of drought stress to the callus. Using these parameters, stress tolerance index, stress sensitivity index and tolerance index values of durum wheat genotypes were calculated. According to the results, there was a significant decrease in all parameters examined with the increase of drought stress. While Artuklu and Sarıçanak-98 cultivars had the highest drought tolerance, Çakmak-79, Çeşit-1252, Eminbey and Kunduru-1149 cultivars were sensitive to drought and Triticum dicoccum, which is an important gene source, was also sensitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we studied the effects of in vitro oxidative stress applied by H2O2 to maize pollen germination and cytosolic Ca2+, taken as an experimental model to test the biological activity of extracts of emmer (Triticum turgidum L. spp. dicoccum (Schrank ex Shubler) Thell.) wheatgrass obtained from grains sprouted with distilled water, or salinity (50 mM) or selenium (45 mg L−1 of Na2SeO3). Wheatgrass extracts were obtained in two ways: by direct extraction in methanol, which represented the free phenolic fraction of extracts (Ef), and by residual content after alkaline digestion, which made it possible to obtain extracts with the bound fraction (Eb). Comparative tests on maize pollen were carried out by differently combining H2O2 and either wheatgrass extracts or pure phenolic acids (4-HO benzoic, caffeic, p-coumaric and salicylic). The cytosolic Ca2+ of maize pollen was influenced by either H2O2 or pure phenolic acids or Ef, but not by Eb. The negative effect of H2O2 on maize pollen germination and cytosolic Ca2+ was mitigated by Ef and, slightly, by Eb. The extent of the biological response of Ef depended on the sprouting conditions (i.e., distilled water, salinity or selenium). The extracts of Se-biofortified wheatgrass were the most effective in counteracting the oxidative stress.

The influence of drought stress modelling by polyethene glycol (PEG) on water status, total soluble protein, proline and carbohydrates content in the roots and leaves tissues of three drought resistance wheat genotypes – Triticum aestivum L. ('Podolianka', 'Favorytka') and Triticum dicoccum Schrank. ('Holikovska') have been studied. Tested varieties of bread wheat and emmer wheat presented the resilience-anisohydric strategy for water balance regulation retaining a high level of relative water content, great variability in organic solutes with osmoprotective properties (total soluble protein, total carbohydrates and free proline) accumulation and retaining the level of low molecular weight proteins in response to drought with noticeable distinctions amid the varieties. However, drought stress increased the efficiency of accumulation of osmoprotectants either protein or carbohydrate nature in all three tested varieties of wheat seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat genus belongs to the main grain crops in Ukraine and in the world. An important element of its cultivation technology, which affects productivity, is the use of high yield varieties resistant to biotic and abiotic stressors. Therefore, the aim of a study was evaluation of polyethylene glycol-modeling drought stress adaptive responses of different varieties of wheat germs (Triticum aestivum and Triticum dicoccum) on such parameters as water shortages, relative water content, roots damage membranes and dehydrogenase activity and photosynthetic pigments content. Studied varieties of common bred wheat and emmer wheat presented resilience-anisohydric response maintaining high relative water content, increasing of root length / shoot length ratio and maintaining the ratio of photosynthetic pigments in response to drought with marked differences among the varieties. According to the result of the research Holikovska variety (Triticum dicoccum) is the most drought- resistant variety which makes it promising for use in breeding for drought tolerance. Because of resilience-anisohydric behaviour patterns might be the beneficial strategy for growing under drought stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several food products, made from hulled wheats, are now offered by the market, ranging from grains and pasta to flour and bakery products. The possibility of verifying the authenticity of wheat species used at any point in the production chain is relevant, in defense of both producers and consumers. A chip digital PCR assay has been developed to detect and quantify percentages of hulless (i.e., common and durum wheat) and hulled (i.e., einkorn, emmer and spelt) wheats in grains, flours and food products. The assay has been designed on a polymorphism in the miRNA172 target site of the AP2-5 transcription factor localized on chromosome 5A and involved in wheat spike morphogenesis and grain threshability. The assay has been evaluated even in a real-time PCR system to assess its applicability and to compare the analytical costs between dPCR and real-time PCR approaches.

Biostimulants improve yield, quality, and stress acclimation in crops. In this work, we tested the possibility of using phenolics-rich extracts from spelt (Triticum dicoccum L.) husks to attenuate the effects of salt stress (100–200 mM NaCl) in maize. Two methanolic extracts were prepared from the soluble-conjugated (SC), and the insoluble-bound (IB) phenolic acid fractions of the spelt husk, and their effects were investigated on several stress-associated biochemical parameters, such as proline, lipid peroxidation, H 2 O 2 , GSH levels, and ion content. Results show that SC and IB fractions of husk extracts behaved very differently, no doubt due to their greatly divergent chemical composition, as revealed by both GC-MS and HPLC analyses. The efficacy of treatments in mitigating salt stress was also dose- and timing-dependent. IB, even at the lower concentration tested, was able to recover the performance of stressed plants in terms of growth, photosynthetic pigments content, and levels of salt stress markers. Recovery of shoot growth to control levels and reduction of stress-induced proline accumulation occurred regardless of whether plants were pre-treated or post-treated with IB, whereas only pre-treatment with the higher dose of IB was effective in mitigating oxidative stress. Although in some cases SC and even methanol alone exerted some positive effects, they could also be deleterious whereas IB never was. Overall, results indicate that a polyphenol-containing extract obtained from spelt by-products can behave as biostimulant in maize plants and can mitigate their response to salt stress, by acting on different biochemical targets. Image 1 • Two polyphenol-enriched extracts were prepared from spelt by-products. • Chemical composition of the two extracts was assessed by HPLC-DAD and GC-MS analysis. • Maize plants subjected to salt stress were treated with polyphenol-enriched extracts. • The efficacy of spelt husk extracts as biostimulant on maize plants was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the biological activity of emmer (Triticum turgidum L. spp. dicoccum (Schrank ex Shubler) Thell.) wheatgrass extracts obtained from grains sprouted with distilled water, or salinity (50 mM) or selenium (45 mg L−1 of Na2SeO3), was tested through an experimental biological model based on the germination and cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis of maize pollen grains. The effects of thapsigargin (TG) and of four phenolic acids (PAs: ferulic, coumaric, salicylic and 3-HO benzoic) on maize pollen were also tested as controls. Wheatgrass extracts influenced both pollen cytosolic Ca2+ and germination. The Ca2+ agonist activity of emmer wheatgrass was transient, different from that of TG, which caused a depletion of the stored Ca2+ and a permanent alteration of Ca2+ homeostasis. The results obtained with extracts compared to those obtained with pure PAs suggest that PAs in unconjugated forms, which are known to be well represent in emmer wheatgrass, contribute to the biological activity of extracts. The extent of the biological response of emmer wheatgrass extracts was influenced by emmer sprouting conditions (i.e., distilled water, or salinity or selenium). Maize pollen treated with Se-enriched wheatgrass extracts showed a less perturbed cytosolic Ca2+ and a higher germination rate.

Aim. To estimate the influence of cultural media on induction and plant regeneration of emmer. Methods. The research was performed on two spring emmer genotypes. Plants were cultivated in field conditions. Spike pretreatment was conducted with abscisic acid water solution (0.5 mg/ml) for 5 days. Anthers were cultivated on cultural media C17 and M42. The variants of cultural media MS with different amino acids and growth regulators were used for plant regeneration. Results. Investigations of this culture ability to androgenesis in vitro have never been conducted before. Emmer demonstrated the low ability to androgenesis in vitro. The induction level was high, but only albino regenerated plants were obtained. In research induction and regeneration level of emmer on different cultural media was determined. It was detected that induction and further plant regeneration is higher while anthers were cultivated on C17 media, comparing with M42 media. Four variants of MS media with different plant growth regulators and amino acids were used for plant regeneration. No difference between variants was observed. Conclusions. Emmer is characterized with relatively high induction ability. Optimal induction cultural media was C17. No significant difference of regeneration level on different variants of regeneration cultural media was detected. No responsible emmer genotypes with the ability to green planter generation were determined in the investigation.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance was evaluated for accessions of four Triticum species, including bread wheat (modern and old cultivars), spelt, emmer, and einkorn. Fusarium head infection, Fusarium kernel damage and accumulation of trichothecene toxins (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol) in grains were analysed. Modern bread wheat cultivars were the most susceptible to head infection, and emmer and einkorn accessions were the most resistant. Kernel damage was the least for emmer and spelt and greatest for bread wheat. No significant differences between the four host species were observed for toxin accumulation. However, the greatest amounts of deoxynivalenol were detected in the grains of modern wheat cultivars and the least in old bread wheat cultivars. The greatest amount of nivalenol was detected in einkorn grains and the least in old bread wheat cultivars. Wide variability of resistance of all types in all four species was observed. Accessions resistant to FHB and toxin accumulation in grains were identified.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance was evaluated for accessions of four Triticum species, including bread wheat (modern and old cultivars), spelt, emmer, and einkorn. Fusarium head infection, Fusarium kernel damage and accumulation of trichothecene toxins (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol) in grains were analysed. Modern bread wheat cultivars were the most susceptible to head infection, and emmer and einkorn accessions were the most resistant. Kernel damage was the least for emmer and spelt and greatest for bread wheat. No significant differences between the four host species were observed for toxin accumulation. However, the greatest amounts of deoxynivalenol were detected in the grains of modern wheat cultivars and the least in old bread wheat cultivars. The greatest amount of nivalenol was detected in einkorn grams and the least in old bread wheat cultivars. Wide variability of resistance of all types in all four species was observed. Accessions resistant to FHB and toxin accumulation in grains were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glume removal is the preliminary operation to make hulled wheats suitable to human consumption. Traditionally glumes are separated from kernels by means of stone mills, simultaneously causing kernel crushing, a loss of kernel parts and associated phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to compare bioactive compound retention of hulled wheat products obtained by traditional processing still used in Turkey and Armenia, with a more update plant located in Italy. On-plant samplings were carried out in two einkorn wheat bulgur processing plants in Turkey, and one emmer wheat processing plant, in Armenia and Italy. Whole and crushed kernels sampled at different processing stages were analysed for their phytochemical compound content. For the Italian plant, also the pearling process was considered. Whole kernels showed higher contents of lipid and phytochemical compounds than the correspondent processed fractions, with special respect for tocopherols and phytosterols. Carotenoid content was mainly affected by genotype. Pearling had a lower effect on the content of phytochemicals; however the correspondent waste fraction showed very high amounts of lipids and other compounds. All the plants showed similar retention of phytochemicals upon processing, with higher losses occurring in smaller kernel crushed fractions, mainly because of the loss of the germ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of meiotic chromosome behavior in hybrid lines obtained by crossing common wheat with tetraploid wheat species shows that the introgression of alien genetic material into the common wheat genome does not have a negative effect on its meiotic stability. Aberrant cells are few not only in the metaphase but also at the final stage of the tetrads. The variation in the level of cytological stability between the studied lines stems from differences in the number and localization of tetraploid wheat genome fragments in the hybrid genome. The influence of the cytoplasm on the formation of the karyotype of wheat introgression lines has been detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Durum wheat ( Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) is a very important crop in the Mediterranean basin. Intense breeding activities are carried out to improve its productivity, quality, and resistance, and new genomic tools are essential to speed up the breeding progress. A segregating population of 136 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between the durum wheat cv. Simeto and the T. dicoccum accession Molise Colli was genotyped with the wheat 90k iSelect Infinium SNP assay. A linkage map was developed with 9,040 markers. Forty-five linkage groups were obtained, which covered all of the chromosomes. The map covered 2,879.3 cM, with a mean length of 205.6 cM per chromosome. The number of markers for each chromosome was from 418 (4B) to 978 (2B), with an average of 645.7. The parents of the genetic map differ according to several features, from traits linked to spike and kernel morphology to grain yield. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was performed for traits related to kernel morphology and thousand-kernel weight: six QTL were identified on chromosomes 1B, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4B and 7A, and 2 QTL on chromosomes 3B and 4B. Bioinformatic and synteny analyses with rice and Brachypodium genomes were performed based on the SNP sequences, with the identification of a candidate gene corresponding to a kinesin under the QTL located on chromosome 1B. The SNP-based Simeto × Molise Colli linkage map represents a useful tool to dissect out the genetic basis of traits of agronomic relevance for the genetic improvement of durum wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]