Genetic Variability Analysis of Grains Fe , Zn and Beta-carotene Concentration of Prevalent Wheat Varieties in Iran

To improvement of grains quality of wheat and reduction of micronutrient malnutrition in human populations as a basic method, current wheat varieties in Iran were analyzed for diversity of micronutrients (Fe, Zn and Beta-carotene) concentrations in grain. Eighty two varieties including modern, landrace and durum wheat were grown in field condition across two years to determine the importance of genetic, environment and their interaction effects. Remarkable variation among 82 genotypes exhibited for all micronutrients concentration in grains. Based on the mean of two years, the concentration of grain Fe, Zn, protein and beta-carotene ranging from 41.36 to 67.67 mg Kg -1 , from 36.37 to 73.80 mg Kg -1 , from 7.5 to 15.6 percent and from 0.96 to 1.69 μg g -1 respectively. Significant differences for Fe, Zn and beta-carotene concentration of grains were existed among genotypes and years. The interaction of year by genotype was significant for Fe and Zn but not for beta-carotene. Landraces of wheat found to contain higher Zn concentration than modern and durum varieties. Highly positive correlations were revealed among Fe and Zn but not for beta-carotene. Both Fe and Zn were correlated positively with grains protein content (p< 0.001). No significant correlation was found for spike numbers and the numbers of kernels per spike and micronutrients. The results of this study showed a considerable variation for micronutrient concentration in grains between genotypes for breeding purposes such as promoting high quality cultivars with high grains micronutrient concentration or bifortification.