IMPACT OF NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON BREAD WHEAT: SCREENING FOR CHANGES IN QUALITY, ANTIOXIDANT AND ESSENTIAL AMINO ACID CONTENT

Wheat grain has a unique nutritional value and contains health-promoting and essential components in the daily human diet. Increasing consumer awareness of health and association of whole grains with several health benefits has led to a greater focus on sustainable and healthy wheat production. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nitrogen on yield and protein characteristics as well as antioxidant capacity and essential amino acid profile of bread wheat genotypes adapted to different ecological conditions. Different nitrogen doses (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1) were applied to 15 genotypes (3 lines, 1 hybrid and cultivars) with different growth habit to determine yield, quality, antioxidant and amino acid composition parameters. As a result of this study, total phenol content, antioxidant activity and gluten index of wheat decreased although grain yield potential increased in genotypes. In the results where the genetic factor is the primary focus, it was established that the responses to nitrogen fertilizer doses exhibited variability across different years particularly the case during the dry season. With regard to the YearxNitrogenxGenotype interaction, a notable increase was observed in total phenol content and antioxidant activity, while a decline was evident in yield, protein, and wet gluten parameters, particularly in the nitrogen dose applied during the dry season. The increase in protein content contributed significantly and positively to the essential amino acid composition. However, increasing the amount of some amino acids negatively affects others. The objective of this study is to identify and contribute insights into the impact of nitrogen factor on product quality, health and nutrition issues, grain yield potential of genotypes, plant breeding and agronomic studies.