Screening and Characterization of Wheat Germplasms f or Phytic Acid and Iron Content

Abstract

Phytic acid is a major storage form of phosphorous in cereals that acts as food inhibitor by chelating micronutrients and prevents it to be bioa vailabe for monogastric animals, including humans. Ninety three wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) germplasms, including cultivars from India, were characterized for phytic acid and Fe co ntents. Phytic acid contents ranged from 0.59 (IITR 92) to 2.08% (IITR 25). The Fe contents of all wheat germplasms ranged from 9.97 (IITR 25) to 45.77 mg kg −1 (IBW 1133) while historical cultivars from India c ontain an average of 21.7 mg kg −1 Fe. This initial screening facilitated the identif ication of diversity in germplasms for this trait that can be exploited for genetic improvement in wheat. Forty eight F 2 wheat lines from (WL711×IITR 19) were also evaluat ed, which demonstrated considerable variation in phytic acid content. Phytic acid conte nts ranged from 0.58 to 2.01% in F 2 lines with an average of 1.52%. The genotypes showed sign ificant differences in phytic acid and Fe contents. F 2 lines of WL711×IITR19 also illustrated variation i n phytic acid content that were significant. The progenies having lower phytic acid content compared to parents are useful for further crop improvement. A relatively high broad s ense heritability (93.4%) and genetic advance (32.3%) of phytic acid showed that progenie s of this cross would be useful for reducing phytic acid. Keywords: Food and nutrition, Genetic improvement, Wheat gen otypes.