Nitrogen and irrigation effects on β-glucan content of wheat grain

Abstract

β-glucan is a major source of dietary fiber and a water-soluble fiber component of wheat grain. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different nitrogen and irrigation levels on β-glucan content of wheat grain in the years 1998-2000. Experimental design was a split-split, randomized complete block with three replications. Three irrigation levels (0, 75 and 150 mm) and nitrogen rates (0, 50 and 100 kg/ha) were applied in three winter wheat cultivars. Increased levels of applied nitrogen tended to increase grain β-glucan content in 1999. Non-irrigated (I 0 ) cultivars gave the highest β-glucan contents in all treatments (2000). The mean β-glucan values of Bezostaja 1, Gün 91 and Ikizce 96 were 0.615, 0.391 and 0.361% respectively in 1999. In 2000, the mean β-glucan contents of Bezostaja 1, Gün 91 and Ikizce 96 were 0.704, 0.492 and 0.376% respectively. Correlations between β-glucan content and grain yield, protein content, thousand grain weight and gluten content were significant in both years. The results of this study indicated that cultivars and increasing nitrogen levels are important in determining wheat grain β-glucan content, while irrigation decreased grain β-glucan content. © 2003 Taylor & Francis.