Quality evaluation of near isogenic lines of wheat developed through marker assisted backcross breeding for grain softness

A set of 16 Near Isogenic Lines (NILs) developed from a cross, Barham x DBW14 for grain softness gene (Pina-D1aPinbD1a) combined with Lr37-Yr17-Sr38 segment was evaluated for different quality traits. Rheological test of flour and baking test with sugar-snap cookies were also performed. The Hardness Index of the NILs ranged between 13.86 and 47.13. The flour of the NILs had relatively lower proportion of particles >150 mu m than in the classes of 0 to <= 55 mu m and > 55 to <= 105 mu m. Starch damage of all the NILs was significantly lower than the hard grain parent DBW14 (4.54%) and the popular variety HD2967 (7.49%). All the 16 NILs showed optimum Solvent Retention Capacity of NaSRC <= 64% and SucroseSRC <= 89%. The farinograms of all the NILs were typical of weak gluten with low water absorption ca pacity. The alveographs showed an Extensibility ratio (P/L) between 0.17 and 0.36, and much lower Deformation Energy (46-94 J) for the NILs. The spread factor of the cookies made with the flour of the NILs varied between 7.90 and 12.77, while that ofthe soft grain parent was 9.44. The findings suggest that the NILs developed in the Indian wheat variety DBW14 may be suitable for production of flour for making cakes, cookies, muffins, etc. These NILs, after evaluation in varietal trials and release for cultivation, can have a strong domestic and export potential. Thus, marker assisted selection is a useful tool for the targeted quality breeding.