Intraspecific responses in grain quality of 10 wheat cultivars to enhanced UV-B radiation under field conditions

Field studies were conducted to determine the potential for intraspecific responses in grain quality of 10 wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars to enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280–315 nm) radiation. The plants were exposed to 5 kJ m−2 supplemental UV-B radiation, simulating a depletion of 20% stratospheric ozone. In wheat cultivars tested, intraspecific responses in 16 amino acid contents and total amino acid contents in grains were found. Out of tested wheat cultivars, Dali 905, Mianyang 20, Wenmai 3, Chuxiong 8807 and Huining 18 showed significant increase in proteins, and Yunmai 39 and Huining 18 showed significant increase while Dali 905 and Chuxiong 8807 showed significant decrease in total sugar, respectively. No wheat cultivar showed significant change in rough starch content. Out of 10 cultivars 9 had a positive quality response index (QRI), while only Yunmai 39 showed negative response (QRI −1.19). According to QRI, the tolerance of 10 wheat cultivars to UV-B radiation had the following sequence, Huining 18 > Mianyang 20 > Mianyang 26 > Wenmai 3 > Dali 905 > Longchun 16 > Fengmai 24 > Liaochun 9 > Chuxiong 8807 > Yunmai 39. Intraspecific responses in grain quality of 10 wheat cultivars to enhanced UV-B radiation existed under field conditions.