Breeding of wheat lines combining high-baking quality under nitrogen limited environments and attractive yield performance is a major challenge. The negative correlation and the complex inheritance of the traits complicate selection strategies. To cope additionally with climate change and changes in environmental conditions and agricultural regulations efficient selection procedures for the priority trait baking quality are required.

Increasing CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere and restriction of nitrogen fertilisation under the new fertiliser regulations lead to lower protein content and thus to lower baking quality. Therefore, cultivars with a high baking quality under nitrogen limited environments combined with an attractive yield performance are required. Important components of the trait baking quality are the amount and the quality of the protein, the quality of the starch, the enzymatic activity and the structure of the kernels.

Gene loci influencing these traits will be confirmed using heterogeneous inbred families (HIFs). These loci will be characterized by the search for candidate genes and used as cofactors in genomic selection. The integration of quantitative proteomic analyses enables synopsis of protein quality, kernel structure and enzymatic activity. Field trials under enhanced CO₂ conditions will allow determining impact on plant development and baking quality and results will propose possible breeding goals and approaches. The results will improve selection efficiency of the involved breeding companies.

The BigBaking project is featured in the April 2021 Newsletter of the Wheat Initiative.