A small‐sample particle size indexing procedure was altered to require only 2.0 g of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.) meal per determination. Particle size index (PSI) values were determined on a wide range of materials over a series of experiments and years. High repeatability in duplicate determinations, high correlations between locations, ability to differentiate lines of proven quality acceptance, and relatively low environmental influence indicated its reliance as a measure of kernel texture. A correlation of 0.83 between 56 selected F 2 plants and their F 3 bulk progenies grown in the subsequent season indicated a high heritability. The divergence of F 3 population means resulting from selection of F 2 extremes indicated a high degree of response to selection for PSI in early segregating generations. Application of the particle size indexing procedure to breeding materials in the MSU (Michigan State Univ.) hybrid wheat breeding program indicated a large genetic potential for selection. Genotypic and environmental correlations between PSI and protein percentage were small. The possibility of breeding higher protein pastry‐quality soft winter wheat cultivars is discussed.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Caroline Trupp (1976) studied this question.