| Grain quality attributes of some hexaploid triticale
lines R.K. BEHL, Sashi TANEJA and K.S. DHINDSA Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar-125004, India In recent past, several agronomically acceptable hexaploid triticale lines have been developed. However, its end-use quality is still questionable and warrants for genetic improvement before it reaches farmer's field. In that context, information on genetic variability for physico-chemical characteristics of grain would serve as indices of direction and magnitude of selection pressure to be exerted for desired improvement. Present study deals with variability for proximate composition in some elite strains of hexaploid triticale developed recently in India. Materials and Methods Thirty eight lines of hexaploid triticale and three wheat checks were sown in randomised block desigu with three replications. Grain yield (g) per m2 and 1000 grain weight (g) were recorded. Produce of five plants selected at random in each replication was mixed and used for the analysis of grain quality attributes. Grain crushing hardness was determined using the hardness tester (Model Kiya Seisakusha, Tokyo). Starch content (%) and Sedimentaion value (ml) were estimated according to CLEGG (1956) and AUSTIN & RAM (1971), respectively. Ash and fat contents (%) were estimated following AOAC methods. Grain protein content (%) was estimated by Microkjeldahl method (N x 5.7). protein productivity per m2 was calculated as : Protein productivity g/m2 = Grain yield g/m2 x Grain protein (%). Parameters of variability viz., mean, range, phenotypic (pcv) and genotypic coefficients (gcv), heritability (%, broad sense) and genetic advance (%) were computed. Results and Discussion Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for the characters studied. This fact was further substantiated by appreciable range of variation (Table 1). In general, mean values of triticale lines were low as compared to mean of wheat checks. However, it was intersting to note that few triticale lines excelled or resembelled wheat checks for various quality attributes. Triticale lines UPT 72615 (54.00 g) and THS-4 (49.30 g) excelled wheat variety WH-147 for 1000 grain weight (46.80 g). Grain crushing hardness determines milling properties and grain flour recovery (BAKER 1977) and can therefore be considered as an index for selecting suitable genotypes (DUNDUCK & ERMAKOVA 1978). Accordingly, triticale lines, DTS-580 (9.40) TL-167 (9.10) THS-(8.86) resembelled grain crushing hardess of best wheat variety Kalyan Sona (9.10). Dough having sedimentation value between 20 to 39 ml is rated suitable for good 'Chapati' quality. Thus, triticale lines DTS1-8 (34.00), TL-520 (29.50), JNK6T-135 (27.00), THS-6 and DTS-601 (26.00) and TL403 and TL419 (23.00) appeared good for 'Chapati' purposes as wheat variety WH-157 (29.50). Rest of the lines appeared good for biscuits and cookies. For grain ash content, lines DTS1-8 (2.76), TL419 (2.70), THS-6 (2.60) and THS-4 (2.36) were found better than Kalyan Sona (2.14). |
| Present address : Institute of Agronomy & Plant Breeding, University of Gottingen, FRG. |
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