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Effects of spring nitrogen fertilizer on the Hagberg falling number of grain from breadmaking varieties of winter wheat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

M. J. Gooding
Affiliation:
Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB
P. S. Kettlewell
Affiliation:
Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB
W. P. Davies
Affiliation:
Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB
T. J. Hocking
Affiliation:
School of Applied Sciences, The Polytechnic, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY

Extract

Hagberg falling number (HFN) is used to estimate alpha-amylase activity in wheat grain (Perten, 1964) and it is utilized by flour millers and the Intervention Agencies of the European Economic Community as a grain quality measurement for breadmaking (Anon. 1983). High nitrogen fertilizer application can lead to lodging and can decrease HFN (Brun, 1982). This may result from damp conditions around the ear encouraging germination, and therefore increasing alpha-amylase activity (Stewart, 1984). However, since nitrogen application can also delay maturity, it has been suggested that this influence could maintain high falling number (Anon. 1985). Pushman & Bingham (1976) found that increased nitrogen application decreased alpha-amylase activity, lending support to the previous suggestion, but contrasting with the results of Brun (1982).

Type
Short Notes
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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References

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