Potential of advanced breeding lines of bread‐making wheat to accumulate grain minerals (Ca, Fe, Mg and Zn) and low phytates under Mediterranean conditions

Abstract

About 3 billion people may suffer from micronutrient deficiency such as Ca, Fe, Mg or Zn, caused not only by a mineral deficiency in staple food but also by a high content of phytates which bind those minerals and inhibit their absorption. With the aim of evaluating the potential of new cultivars of bread‐making wheat to accumulate those minerals and low phytates, nine advanced breeding lines from an ongoing Portuguese breeding program were studied during 2 years in a field experiment. A wide genetic variability was found between the studied genotypes in all the parameters studied, especially grain yield (ranging on average between 2,027 and 3,209 kg/ha) and grain Mg and Zn concentrations (ranging on average between 1,070 and 1,336 mg/kg, and 23.4 and 30.7 mg/kg, respectively). In global terms, the cultivars with best performance, and therefore, the most potentially suitable to be used in a breeding program, were the Cultivars 3 and 4. However, such a potential varied depending on the analysed trait, and it was clearly influenced by the climatic conditions. The consumption of 100 g of Cultivar‐4 produced under the most favourable conditions might provide a 5.2% of Ca, 26.4% of Fe, 38.9% of Mg and 31.9% of Zn of the recommended daily intakes, with a very good bioavailability for Fe and Ca, but low for Mg and Zn.

Zinc Enrichment in Two Contrasting Genotypes of Triticum aestivum L. Grains: Interactions between Edaphic Conditions and Foliar Fertilizers

“…After harvest, the grain was threshed and weighted. Grain yield was expressed as kg of dry matter per ha [ 12 ]. Additionally, test weight (expressed as kg/hL) was analyzed in a cytometer, and thousand kernel weight (TKW) was further determined.…”

“…This applies not only to the consumption of edible plant parts with a low concentration of micronutrients, but also to plant growth in soils with poor nutrient availability that can culminate in nutrient deficiencies in the world population [ 3 , 6 , 12 ]. In this context, in 2020, the world production of wheat will probably reach 762.6 million tons [ 13 ] but will only keep an average consumption of 67.5 kg per person a year [ 12 , 14 ]. Therefore, human dependence upon cereals with a poor Zn status deepens the gap between the available amount and the amount required for good health, which is 40–50 mg/kg [ 15 ].…”

“…A poor diet in micronutrients can lead to physiological lacks, especially if consumers ingest plant-derived foods. This applies not only to the consumption of edible plant parts with a low concentration of micronutrients, but also to plant growth in soils with poor nutrient availability that can culminate in nutrient deficiencies in the world population [3,6,12]. In this context, in 2020, the world production of wheat will probably reach 762.6 million tons [13] but will only keep an average consumption of 67.5 kg per person a year [12,14].…”

Optimisation of the Extrusion Process through a Response Surface Methodology for Improvement of the Physical Properties and Nutritional Components of Whole Black-Grained Wheat Flour

“…The global production volume of wheat in the 2019/2020 season amounted to more than 765 million tons, and approximately two thirds of this volume was consumed by humans [ 2 ]. The mineral content in grains is relatively low, which was attributed to its neglect because of the greater attention paid to high-yielding and high-resistance wheat cultivars [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Around 800 million people globally are still chronically undernourished, particularly in countries with a relatively high consumption of wheat derivatives; these people have weaker immune systems and may be at a greater risk of certain severe illnesses caused by viruses [ 6 , 7 ].…”

The effects of wheat cultivar blend on the content of essential grain minerals

“… Compensation effects -a stronger variety compensates for a weaker or injured variety.  Better disease control due to more different resistance genes involved -management of multiple disease tolerance [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [15], [16].  Better protection from insect attacks [14].…”