The effect of harvest time on winter wheat grain protein content and sedimentation index

Abstract

Winter wheat protein content and sedimentation values in relation to grain harvest time were investigated. The trails involved two winter wheat varieties - 'Ada' (Lithuanian) and 'Zentos' (German), both characterised by good bread-making properties. The winter wheat was tested over the period of 2002-2004. It was grown without mineral fertiliser, N60 and N90 applied once in spring (BBCH 23-25) and N120, N150 applied twice or three times at resumption of vegetation (BBCH 23-25), stem elongation (BBCH 32-35) and heading (BBCH 53-57) stages. In the experimental plots the grain was harvested at hard dough (BBCH 87) and fully ripe (BBCH 89) maturity and 10, 20 and 30 days after BBCH 89. The findings suggest that over delayed harvest time protein content and sedimentation values tended to decrease, however the decrease was of lower than 95% significance level. The impact of fertilisation intensity as well as cultivar properties on grain protein content and sedimentation values over delayed harvest period in most cases were registered to be below 95% significance.