Integrative LC-MS/MS and trait-based assessment of durum wheat genotypes: Insights into quality and stress tolerance from Algerian germplasm

Durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) constitutes a strategic cereal crop for Mediterranean agroecosystems, including Algeria. Enhancing its productivity and quality necessitates exploiting available genetic diversity. This investigation comprehensively evaluated eighteen durum wheat genotypes under subhumid field conditions in Skikda, Algeria, to quantify genetic variability through morpho-physiological traits, biochemical composition, and amino acid profiling via LC-MS/MS. Morpho-physiological assessments revealed disparities in germination capacity with Ovidio and Cirta showing 96 %, cold tolerance (min. 66.66 % in Oued El Bared), leaf relative water content (82.14 % in Sigus), and leaf area. Biochemical analyses demonstrated substantial ranges in wet gluten (26.64-34.52 %) and dry gluten (7.56-12.8 %), identifying 'Cirta' as superior for these quality determinants. Differential accumulation of osmolytes (soluble sugars, proline) and variations in photosynthetic pigments were observed. Phytochemical screening highlighted 'El Tayeb' for its markedly elevated total polyphenol concentration (28.17 mg GAE/g DE). High-resolution LC-MS/MS quantification of 16 amino acids delineated distinct compositional profiles, exemplified by high L-Alanine in 'Oued El Bared' (1103.48 mg/100g) and L-Proline in 'Bousselam' (1333.44 mg/100g). This study quantifies significant genetic diversity within the evaluated germplasm, identifying genotypes with potentially superior agronomic adaptation, processing quality (e.g., Cirta), stress tolerance indicators (e.g., Sigus and El Tayeb), and nutritional profiles. These results provide a critical foundation for targeted germplasm utilization in Algerian durum wheat breeding programs aimed at improving yield stability, end-use quality, and resilience in subhumid environments.