Genetic and agronomic effects on semolina milling value of durum wheat

The performance of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf,) during primary proces sing is an important commercial characteristic, but little is known about t he influence of varietal and agronomic factors on semolina milling value, T his study was conducted to determine whether genetic and agronomic factors affect the semolina value of durum wheat, specifically the endosperm/bran r atio, endosperm friability, and yields of finished products, Nine cultivars of durum wheat were grown in 1993 and 1994 in very large plots under diffe rent agronomic conditions, including mater stress and various nitrogen appl ications. The wheat was milled in an experimental semolina mill (150 kg ha( -1)) to evaluate the respective influence of genetic and agonomic factors. Results demonstrate a considerable genetic variation in the semolina yield of durum wheat. The endosperm/bran ratio of durum wheat is largely dependen t on cultivar, whereas endosperm friability is greatly influenced by agro-c limatic conditions, Use of ash content as a criterion for determining semol ina purity can influence the cultivar ranking because of the differences in grain ash content and of the distribution of minerals in the endosperm. It appears that the ease with which endosperm is freed in the form of semolin a during milling could be a criterion for predicting semoIina quality.