The proteins in the starchy endosperm
of wheat determine wheat
quality and exhibit a quantitative gradient decreasing from the outer
to inner endosperm. Here, we investigate how protein-rich sub-aleurone
cells contribute to the protein content and gradient by studying three
cultivars, each cultivated at three levels of nitrogen (N)-fertilization.
The observed increased protein content with increased N-fertilization
was cultivar-dependent. Image analysis showed that the underlying
protein gradient could be described by a declining biexponential curve,
with protein contents up to 32.0% in the sub-aleurone. Cultivars did
not differ in protein content in the center of the cheeks and only
differed in the outer endosperm when N-fertilization is applied. N-Fertilization
resulted in relatively higher increases in protein content in the
outer compared to inner endosperm. Hence, sub-aleurone cells could
affect the classification of cultivars by baking quality. Cultivar
selection and N-fertilization could furthermore be promising techniques
to produce protein-rich miller’s bran.
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