Changes in the Mineral Contents of Bread Wheat Genotypes during the Development Periods of Wheat.

The purpose of the presented study is to investigate mineral content and their distribution and changes during growth periods of wheat. Twelve bread wheat genotypes were used (Es-26, Bezostaja-1, Müfitbey, Altay-2000, Sönmez-01, Soyer-02, Çetinel-2000, Harmankaya-99, Sultan-95, and Alpu-01, Atay-85 and Gerek-79). Samples for determining minerals were taken at tillering period (Zadoks 20-29), flowering period (Zadoks 60-69), maturity period (Zadoks 90-99) and seed. Considerable differences occured between genotypes and growth stages for minerals. Trends of mineral levels in genotypes are polynomial, it increased and reached at highest level in flowering then decreased. Principal analysis explained that concentrations of ten minerals are homogenous at W11 Atay- 85 and W1 Es-26 genotypes. W7 Çetinel-2000 and W9 Sultan-95 genotypes also have homogenous content of all ten minerals. It was concluded that W10 Alpu- 01, W2 Bezostaja-1 genotypes have the highest content of K, Mg, Na and Mn; W5 Sönmez-01 genotype has the lowest Zn level and the highest N level. The other genotypes had homogenous mineral concentration. The large variation among genotypes showed that the genetic potential with higher mineral levels could be used in further breeding programs that involve genotypes with large variations, crossing and selection processes, selecting better genotypes for yield, quality, minerals for different environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]