Hexaploid wild emmer wheat derivatives grown under New Zealand conditions 2. Effect of foliar urea sprays on plant and grain nitrogen and baking quality

Four wild emmer derivatives were compared with two standard bread wheats for their ability to accumulate grain nitrogen after foliar urea sprays at heading. The highest levels and total contents of grain nitrogen and flour protein were found in emmer derivatives. Sampling during grain development showed that the movement of nitrogen into the grain from other parts of the plant was greatest and more firmly directed towards the grain in the emmer derivatives. Grain size did not decrease significantly as grain nitrogen levels and total nitrogen contents and flour protein increased with increasing urea application rates. Baking scores also increased with increasing urea application rate but correlations with the nitrogen parameters were consistent only within individual lines and not across all lines.