PCR-based assays with co-dominant or dominant allele-specific STS (sequence tagged sites) markers and sodium-dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) have been used in this study to discriminate Glu-1 and Glu-3 alleles in Korean wheat cultivars. Three alleles were identified at each high molecular weight glutenin (Glu-1) homoeologous locus and 10 alleles were identified at low molecular weight glutenin (Glu-3) homoeologous locus in Korean wheat cultivars. At Glu-1 loci, wheat cultivars contained Glu-A1a, b and c alleles amplified a 1093, 1063 and 920bp fragments, respectively, Glu-B1b, c and f alleles discriminated with 707(Glu-B1b and f) and 662bp(Glu-B1c) fragments and Glu-D1a, d and f alleles amplified a 576(Glu-D1d) and 612bp(Glu-D1a and f) fragments, respectively. At Glu-3 loci, wheat cultivars contained Glu-A3c, d and e alleles amplified a 573, 967 and 158bp fragments, respectively. Glu-B3d, g, h and i alleles gave a 662, 853, 1022 and 621bp, respectively and Glu-D3a, b and c alleles amplified a 884(Glu-D3a and b) and 338bp(Glu-D3c) fragments. A multiplex-PCR assay was also established which permitted the discrimination of the major Glu-1 and Glu-3 to determine glutenin compositions in a single PCR reaction and agarose gel assay because these systems could be useful to select DNA-based identification of wheat lines carrying good breadmaking performance in Korean wheat breeding programs. Three multiplex-PCR for Glu-1 and Glu-3, Glu-A1c + Glu-B1acf + Glu-D1d, Glu-A3ac + Glu-A3d + Glu-A3e and Glu-B3d + Glu-B3fg + Glu-B3h were established in this study.

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum is a major disease problem on wheat and barley in Korea and around the world. We screened for Type II resistance in the greenhouse using single floret inoculation and for Type I resistance in the field using spray inoculation. Sumai 3 was used the FHB resistant check. Three hundred and seventy lines were evaluated for resistance to spread of symptoms within spike (type II). The 2012 field screening with 300 wheat lines was located in Kimjae-si Joeonbuk Korea. All plots were inoculated twice. The first inoculation was applied at anthesis for wheat. The second inoculation was applied three days after the initial inoculation (dai) for each plot. The inoculum was F. graminearum (GZ3639) prepared at a concentration of 100,000 macroconidai/ml with Tween 20 added as a wetting agent. Mist-irrigation was applied from the first inoculation on May 7 till June 7 to facilitate FHB development. FHB severity was assessed visually 21 days after inoculation on 20 arbitrarily selected spikes per plot. FHB severity was determined as the percentage of symptomatic spikelets from the total of all spikelets observed in these 20 spikes. Based on the field test, we could observe four categories of FHB severity: resistant (R: 0-20%), moderately resistant (MR: 21-40%), moderately susceptible (MS: 41-60%), and susceptible (S: 61-100%). The results showed that forty four lines showed the resistant category on FHB severity between 2.7% and 19.8%. In addition, ten lines showed similar FHB severity compared to Sumai 3 (9.9%).

Whole grain wheat bread and bakery products is highly considered as a functional food due to the high amount of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber in whole wheat flour. However, as the lower end-use properties of whole wheat products limit consumer selection, it is required to measure the functionality of whole wheat flour. Thus, it is observed the fermentation properties of bread dough from the composite flour of whole grain and white wheat flour. Whole grain cv. Chokyeong developed in the NICS was ground using a hammer mill with 0.5 mm sieve. The composite flour was prepared by substituting wheat flour with whole grain flour at 15, 30, 45% levels. Breads were prepared using the 100 g composite flour according to a basic straight-dough mehtod (AACC 10-10A) with slight modification. A rheofermentometer was used to measure the maximum dough height (Hm) and the maximum gas formation (H’m) during fermentation. Also, total CO2 production was recorded. The Hm decreased from 38.8 to 27.5 (mm) with increasing whole wheat flour from 15 to 45%. Whereas, the H’m was increased from 61.7 to 60.8 (mm) with whole wheat flour increment. Total CO2 production was also decreased with increasing whole wheat flour ranging 1312∼1164 (ml). The fermentation results could be useful to partly predict the effect of substituting whole wheat flour on the end-use quality of pan-breads.

“Joah”, a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar was developed by the National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, Iksan, Korea, during the period from 1997 to 2011. The heading and maturing dates of this variety were April 26 and June 8 in upland, and April 28 and June 6 in paddy field, respectively. It is an awned, semi-dwarf and soft winter wheat. Culm and spike length of “Joah” were 78 cm and 8.4 cm. It had lower test weight (763g/L) and l,000-grain weight (43.0 g) than “Keumkang”. It showed moderate to pre-harvest sprouting, which lower rate of pre-harvest sprouting (12.3%) than “Keumkang”. “Joah” had lower flour yield (66.3%) and ash content (0.33%) than “Keumkang”. It showed higher lightness (92.29) of flour color than “Keumkang”. It showed lower protein content (11.5%) and gluten content (10.7%) and lower SDS-sedimentation volume(29㎖) and mixing time of mixograph than “Keumkang”. It was showed higher amylose content and high viscosity than “Keumkang”. It showed different compositions in HMW-GS compositions (2.2+12), PPO 18 (876bp) and Puroindolines composition compared to “Keumkang”. “Joah” showed similar firmness (2.20N) and higher volume of sponge cake to “Keumkang”. Average yield of “Joah” in the regional adaptation yield trial was 6.44 ton/ha in upland and 5.26 ton/ha in paddy field. “Joah” would be suitable for the area above -10℃ of daily minimum temperature in January in Korean peninsula.

“Joongmo2008”, a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar was developed by the National Institute of Crop Science, RDA. It is an awned, semi-dwarf and hard winter wheat. The heading and maturing date of “Joongmo2008” were similar to “Keumkang”. Culm and spike length of “Joongmo2008” were 87 cm and 8.6 cm. It had similar test weight (800g/L) and higher 1,000-grain weight (46.7g) than “Keumkang”. It showed resistance to winter hardiness and moderate to pre-harvest sprouting, which lower rate of pre-harvest sprouting (9.8%) than “Keumkang”. “Joongmo2008” had higher flour yield (73.5%) and higher ash content (0.49%) than “Keumkang”. It showed similar lightness (90.01) of flour color than “Keumkang”. It showed higher protein content (16.4%), gluten content (13.4%), SDS-sedimentation volume(59㎖) and mixing time of mixograph than “Keumkang”. “Joongmo2008” had lower amylose contetn (24.5%) and higher viscosity (153BU) than “Keumkang”. It showed same compositions in HMW-GS compositions(5+10) and Puroindolines composition compared to “Keumkang”. “Joongmo2008” showed lower firmness (0.74N) of and higher bread volume of baked pan-bread to “Keumkang”. Average yield of “Joongmo2008” in the regional adaptation yield trial was 4.54 ton/ha in upland and 3.67 ton/ha in paddy field. “Joongmo2008” would be suitable for the area above -10℃ of daily minimum temperature in January in Korean peninsula.

Protein related parameters of pan bread and white salted noodles prepared from 26 Korean wheat cultivars and 6 commercial and imported wheat flours were evaluated to elucidate the relationship between rheological properties and end-use characteristics and to determine the effects of Glu-1 and Glu-3 alleles on those characteristics in Korean wheat cultivars. SDS-sedimentation volume based on protein weight was positively correlated with mixograph parameters and maximum height of dough and also positively correlated with bread loaf volume, crumb firmness and springiness of cooked noodles. Within Glu-1 loci, 1 or 2* subunit and 5 + 10 subunits showed longer mixingtime, higher maximum height of dough, and larger loaf volume than null allele, 2.2 + 12, and 2 + 12 subunits. Cultivars with 13 + 16 subunits at Glu-B1 locus showed higher protein content and optimum water absorption of mixograph than cultivars with 7 + 8 subunits. At Glu-3 loci, Glu-A3d showed longer mixing time than Glu-A3e, and Glu-B3d and Glu-B3h had stronger mixing properties than Glu-B3i. Glu-B3h had higher loaf volume and hardness of cooked noodles than Glu-B3d. Glu-D3a had lower protein content than Glu-D3c, and Glu-D3b showed stronger mixing properties than Glu-D3a. Glu-D3c showed lower hardness of cooked noodles than others.

Allelic variations in glutenin and puroindolines of Korean wheat cultivars evaluated to determine the effects of allelic variations on physico-chemical properties of flour and qualities of white salted noodles. In grain hardness and flour yield, Pinb-D1b had higher hardness index and flour yield than Pinb-D1a alleles. Glu-B1b and Glu-D1f also had lower hardness index than other alleles at the same locus and Glu-A1c, Glu-A3e and Glu-B3i alleles showed lower flour yield than other alleles. In flour compositions, Pina-D1b and Pinb-D1b showed higher particle size, ash and damaged starch content and lower lightness of wheat flour than Pina-D1a and Pinb-D1a. Glu-A1c, Glu-B1b, Glu-D1f, Glu-B3d and Glu-B3i showed lower particle size of flour than other alleles at Glu-1 and Glu-B3 locus. Korean wheats with Glu-B1f, Glu-D1a and Glu-B3b alleles had higher damaged starch content and lower lightness of flour than wheats other alleles at the same locus. Glu-B1b, Glu-D1f, Glu-B3d and Pina-D1a showed lower protein content and Glu-A1c, Glu-B1b, Glu-D1f Glu-B3d, Glu-B3i and Pinb-D1b showed lower SDS-sedimentation volume than other alleles. Hardness of cooked noodles ranked as Glu-A1a > Glu-A1c > Glu-A1c at Glu-A1 locus. Glu-B3h showed higher hardness of cooked noodles (5.10 N) than other alleles at Glu-B3 locus (< 4.66 N).

End-use properties of 26 Korean wheat cultivars(KWC) were evaluated to assess consumer satisfaction with 6 imported wheat and 5 commercial wheat flours. In end-use quality testing of cooked noodles, Absorption of noodle dough sheet of ASW(Australian standard white) was similar to Anbaek, Eunpa, Gobun, Hanbaek, Jeokjoong, Jonong, Namhae, and Sukang. In lightness of prepared noodle dough sheet, Lightness value(L*) of KWC was lower than those of commercial flour for making white salted noodle(Com1), commercial flour for making for yellow alkaline noodle(Com2), and commercial flour for multi-purpose(Com4). Lightness value(L*) showed significantly negative correlations with particle size of flour, ash, damaged starch, and protein content. Hardness of cooked noodles positively correlated with protein content. In end-use quality of bread, Bread volume of commercial flour for making bread(Com3) was similar to Alchan, Jokyung, Keumkang, and Namhae but firmness was low. Bread volume showed better relationships with higher SDS-sedimentation volume, longer mixing time of mixograph, higher height of dough during development. Diameter of cookie showed significantly negative correlations with particle size of flour, damaged starch, and protein content. Also, Top gain score became higher as the increase diameter of cookie. In end-use quality testing of cooked cookie, Cookie diameter of Com5 was similar to that of Dahong, Geuru, Olgeuru, Tapdong, and Uri but top grain was low.

Flour characteristics of 26 Korean wheat cultivars(KWC) were evaluated to assess consumer satisfaction with 6 imported wheat and 5 commercial wheat flours. In physical characteristics of flours, Particle size of SW(soft white) was similar to Dahong, Geuru, Milsung, Olgeuru, Seodun, Tapdong, and Uri. DNS(dark northern spring) was similar to Jeokjoong, Joeun, Sukang, and Younbaek. Particle size of flour positively correlated with ash, damaged starch, and lightness value(L*) of flour. In protein characteristics, Protein content of SW and commercial flour for baking cookie(Com5) was similar to Baekjoong, Jinpoom, Milsung, Olgeuru, Saeol, and Uri. SDS sedimentation volume based on a constant flour weight(SDSS) of KWC was lower than those of DNS and Com3. Mixing time and maximum dough height(Hm) of KWC were higher than those of imported wheat and Com. Protein content positively correlated with SDS sedimentation volume and water absorption of mixograph. SDS-sedimentation volume positively correlated with water absorption of mixograph, mixing time of mixograph, and height of dough development. In starch characteristics of flour, ASW(Australian standard white) flours showed lower amylose content, higher peak viscosity, breakdown, and setback in pasting properties than other flours. KWC flours showed higher amylose content and lower peak viscosity than those of AH(Australian hard), ASW, commercial flour for making white salted noodles(Com1), commercial flour for making yellow alkaline noodles(Com2) and Com3.

Puroindoline alleles, grain characteristics, milling performances and physical properties of flour of 22 Korean wheat cultivars were evaluated to determine the influence of puroindolines genotypes on grain and flour characteristics and to provide useful information for improving milling and end-use quality in Korean wheat breeding programs. Nine Korean wheat cultivars carried with Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1a, 11 cultivars had Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1b and 2 cultivars were Pina-D1b/Pinb-D1a. Korean wheats carrying with Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1a genotypes showed lower test weight and thousand kernel weight, area and roundness of grain and hardness index in grain characteristics, lower flour yield and higher proportion of break flour in milling performances and lower average particle size of flour, ash and damaged starch content, water retention capacity, yellowness-blueness and higher lightness of flour than wheats with Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1b or Pina-D1b/Pina-D1a genotypes. Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1b genotypes showed lower 1000-kernel weight, grain area, higher average of particle size of flour, higher ash and damaged starch content than Pina-D1b/Pina-D1a genotypes. There was no difference in hardness index of grain, milling performances, flour color between Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1b and Pina-D1b/Pina-D1a genotypes. These results could present the information to improve milling quality and physical properties of flour in Korean wheat breeding programs.

To investigate the genetic variation of high-and low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (BMW-GS and LMW-GS), granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) and puroindoline in 24 Korean wheat cultivars. At the BMW-GS compositions, three Glu-A1 alleles, five Glu-B1 alleles and three Glu-D1 alleles were identified. The high frequency of alleles at each locus was Glu-A1c allele (15 cultivars), Glu-B1b allele (16 cultivars) and Glu-D1f allele (16 cultivars). Four alleles were identified at the Glu-A3 and Glu-B3 loci and three at Glu-D3 locus and Glu-A3d, Glu-B3d and Glu-D3a were mainly found at each Glu-3 locus. Glu-A3d, Glu-B3d, Glu-D3b or c (4 cultivars, respectively) and Glu-A3d, Glu-B3d, Glu-D3a and Glu-A3c, Glu-B3d or h, Glu-D3a (3 cultivar, respectively) were predominantly found in Korean wheats. At the GBSS compositions, 2 waxy wheat cultivars, Shinmichal and Shinmichal1, showed null alleles on the Wx loci and other cultivars were wild type in GBSS compositions. At the puroindoline gene compositions, Korean wheat cultivars carried 3 genotypes, which 10 cultivars (41.7%) were Pina-D1a and Pinb-D1a, 11 cultivars (45.8%) had Pina-D1a and Pinb-D1b and 3 cultivars (12.5%) carried Pina-D1b and Pinb-D1a. These genetic variations could present the information to improve flour and end-use quality in Korean wheat breeding programs.

Flour characteristics and end-use quality of 10 commercial flours produced from Korean wheat (Kcom) were evaluated to utilize information for assessment consumer's satisfaction with Korean wheat compared with commercial flour from imported wheats (com). Two types of Kcom, whole wheat flour and white wheat flour, were found in market. Whole wheat flours showed higher ash and protein content, lower lightness and higher water absorption in mixogram than white wheat flours. Amylose content of Kcom was similar to that of com, but peak viscosity and breakdown of Kcom was lower than those of com. Noodle dough sheet prepared from white flours of Kcom was thinner thickness and higher lightness than those of whole wheat flours. Compared to com, Kcom showed lower lightness of noodle dough sheet. Hardness of cooked noodles of Kcom was similar to com for making noodle flours. In bread baking, Kcom showed lower loaf volume and lightness of crumb and higher firmness of crumb compared to com for baking bread.

Flour physicochemical properties of 26 Korean wheat cultivars, 7 imported wheat and 5 commercial wheat flours were evaluated to determine making for yellow alkaline noodles (YAN) in this study. In physical characteristics of YAN, ash and damaged starch content was 0.42% and 3.79%. Flour color of YAN was 92.17 in L*, -1.45 in a* and 9.77 in b*. Protein content, SDS-sedimentation based on a constant flour weight (SDSSF), on a constant protein weight (SDSSP) and dry gluten content was 11.97%, 59.00 mL, 48.00 mL and 8.20%. Water absorption, mixing time and tolerance of mixograph was 61.50%, 3.75 min and 24.00 mm. In starch characteristics, amylose and total starch was 23.72% and 76.10. L* value of flour decreased when ash, damaged starch, protein content of flour increased. Protein content of wheat flour was positively correlated with SDSSP, dry gluten and mixograph water absorption. SDSSF showed positively correlated with SDSSP, mixograph mixing time and mixing tolerance (r = 0.641, P < 0.001, r = 0.464, P < 0.05 and r = 0.618, P < 0.001, respectively) and SDSSP positively correlated with dry gluten, mixograph water absorption, mixing time and mixing tolerance (r = 0.550, P < 0.05, r = 0.520, P < 0.01, r = 0.396, P < 0.05 and r = 0.552, P < 0.01, respectively).

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is implicated in discoloration of white salted noodles and other wheat based foods. PPO activity was evaluated to determine the effect on discoloration of noodle dough sheets prepared from 25 Korean wheat flours during storage and to screen experimental lines with low PPO activity in 52 Korean wheats. PPO activity was assayed with whole-seed and performed with L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) as substrates. Absorbance by L-DOPA assay of 25 Korean wheats was from 0.285 to 1.368 at 475 nm. PPO activity was significantly related with grain characteristics, including 1000-kernel weight and grain colors. In flour characteristics, PPO activity positively correlated with ash and protein content (r = 0.658, P < 0.001 and r = 0.424, P < 0.05, respectively) and negatively correlated with L* value of flour (r = 0.412, P < 0.05). In the changes of color of noodle dough sheet, L* and b* values consistently decreased and a* value increased during storage. PPO activity negatively correlated with L* value of noodle dough sheet during storage (r = 0.566, P < 0.01 at 2 hr, r = 0.547, P < 0.01 at 24 hr, and r = 0.509, P < 0.01 at 48 hr). But, no significant relationship was found in between PPO activity, a* and b* values during storage. The 52 Korean wheat lines examined in this study were divided into 3 different groups, low (< 0.500), medium (0.501-0.999) and high level (> 1.000), on the basis of the level of PPO activity. Twenty two Korean wheat lines showed low level of PPO activity and Suwon 252, 277 and 280 showed lower PPO activity (< 0.200) than others.