Relationship of HMW, LMW glutenin subunits and γ-gliadins with gluten strength in Indian durum wheats

Twenty-four durum wheat genotypes were evaluated for two years to assess the relationship between HMW glutenin subunits, LMW B glutenin patterns, gamma gliadins and gluten strength as measured by SDS-sedimentation volume. Indian durum genotypes assessed in this study represented a diverse set of Glu-1, Gli-B1 and Glu-3 alleles. Considerable variability was detected for protein content and gluten strength. All the locals and released varieties derived from locals showed significantly higher protein content. Specific alleles at Glu-1, Glu-3 and Gli-B1 loci showed different effects on gluten strength. HMW glutenin subunits 2* and 14+15 showed association with high gluten strength. Genotypes having LMW-f (linked gamma-43.5) showed significantly higher gluten strength than other three LMW-B patterns, i.e. LMW-b and c (linked gamma-45) and LMW-e (linked gamma-44). While genotypes with gamma-44 and linked LMW-e patterns were found to have lowest gluten strength. The Gli-A2 locus did not show any significant association with gluten strength.