Strontium accumulation in whole grain of Aegilops and Triticum species

Abstract

Plant species differ in their ability to accumulate mineral elements. Differences also exist among genotypes, lines, and varieties within species. Strontium (Sr) enters the food chain primarily via plants, and wheat products are amongst the most important pathways by which Sr enters the human body. The aim of this study was to analyze the accumulation of Sr in whole grain of various Aegilops and Triticum species with different genomes (AA, BB, BBAA, BBAADD, and DD). During three experimental years plants were grown in temperate continental climate on a calcareous, gleyic chernozem soil. The results reveal that the studied species and genomes differed significantly in Sr accumulation in the grains. The average Sr concentration of the grains ranged, depending on the year of study and genotype, from 0.70 to 3.89 mg kg−1 DM. The grain of wild diploid Aegilops speltoides with BB genome contained significantly more Sr than all of the other analyzed genotypes. Grains of wild and cultivated tetraploid wheat genotypes had the lowest Sr concentration. The modern cultivated hexaploid wheat varieties displayed substantial variation in Sr concentration in the grains. The examined genotypes also differed significantly with respect to their mass of 1000 grains, which was the smallest in Aegilops speltoides. There was a significantly negative correlation between the average mass of a 1000 grains and concentration of Sr. The results show that even when the background concentration of Sr was relatively low, wheat genotypes accumulated it in the grains, although to a different extent. Therefore, selection of wheat genotypes which accumulate less Sr in the grain could contribute to improve food quality.

Genetic differences in aluminium accumulation in the grains of field grown Aegilops and Triticum

“…It is not surprising that species and cultivars with significantly lower TGW have higher Al concentration. In larger grains, the proportion of bran is lower and a similar tendency was found both for essential and non-essential elements (Zhao et al 2009, Kastori et al 2017). However, diploid genotypes baring DD and AA genome that had lower Al concentration had higher Al content per one individual grain.…”

“…), in three consecutive years. The soil of the experimental field was classified as a calcic gleyic chernozem (FAO 2006), which is characterised by pH 7.2 and 8.0 in KCl and H 2 O, respectively (Kastori et al 2017). On such type of soil average concentrations of total Al varies typically between 42 mg/kg in the 0-30 cm soil layer to 21 mg/kg in the 125-170 cm layer (Altermann et al 2005).…”

“…Therefore, under the present conditions, the toxicity of Al was not an issue. Consequently, differences with Kastori et al (2017) respect to genotypic specificity to accumulate Al in plant tissues, and specifically in the grain, allowed detecting concentrations typically found in wheat grains and affect quality of agricultural products containing wholegrain flour. Agricultural management practices were standard for wheat production in the region and soil type.…”

“…Grains were milled to produce whole meal, which was used in further analyses. Details on soil and climate data, experimental setup, management practices during vegetation and analyses of samples are available in the paper of Kastori et al (2017). After digestion of grain whole meal in a mixture of 10 mL HNO 3 (65%) and 2 mL of H 2 O 2 (30%) using the microwave technique, the concentrations of total Al were determined by inductive coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP-OES Varian Vista-Pro, Palo Alto, USA).…”

The concentration ratio of alkaline earth elements calcium, barium and strontium in grains of diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid wheat

“…Barley genotypes differed significantly with respect to Sr:Ca ratio in the shoots. Significant differences were recorded with respect to the concentration of Ba (Denčić et al, 2015), Sr (Kastori et al, 2017) and Ca in the whole wheat grain. All three elements accumulated most in the grain of Aegilops speltoides.…”