Effect of mineral fertilization on winter wheat quality

There are a large number of analyses used for wheat qualification around the world. The most usual wheat quality analyses in Europe and Hungary are: hectolitre weight, thousand kernel weight, moisture content, hardness, ash content, raw protein content (amino acid composition), wet gluten content and expansiveness, Farinographic value and quality group, loaf baking, Alveographic parameters (P, L, P/L, G, W), fractionation of proteins by HPLC (for research purposes), Hagberg's falling number, sedimentation test, gluten index, micotoxines, pesticide remains, radioactivity. The usage of the different type of analyses is differentiated as a function of the consumers' demands. For example, different sets of tests are used for research purposes and for comparison with food safety limit values. The problem is even more complicated by the demand that the price-quality argument between the producer and the buyer should be settled as simply as possible, by fast and accurate determinations right at the selling place. In Hungary besides the physical parameters the wet gluten content and expansiveness and the Farinographic kneading test (quality group) were traditionally the pillars of qualification. Meanwhile, among other reasons (fast change of varieties, rainy years) the harmonisation process with the European Union has raised the demand for new types of analyses. These are the protein content, the Hagberg's falling number that characterises the alpha-amylase activity of the winter wheat flour and the Zeleny sedimentation value charactenising the quality of the gluten. To influence the quality of the flour of winter wheat is the simplest way the putting into practice the good fertilization and mineral fertilization practice above the variety-selecting. Permanent task of the analysts is the examination of the quality of former and new varieties among different conditions and it gives base for the producer in select from varieties and applicable mineral fertilization. Our aim was to examine the effect of mineral fertilization on different quality parameters of winter wheat. The samples we analysed are from a small plot variety test experience.