Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 203-211 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/tgg 205 3 Strategies to Enhance Nutritional Quality 3.1 Traditional breeding and selection for nutritional traits Traditional breeding and screening are still important methods to improve the nutritional level of wheat. Different wheat varieties have very different protein content (GPC) and other nutrients in the grain. Through careful selection and cultivation, these differences can be used well. Now, scientists have used genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) to find some genes and markers related to high protein and good nutrition (Alomari et al., 2023; Kartseva et al., 2023), making the breeding process faster and more accurate. In addition to selecting good varieties, reasonable fertilization, such as supplementing nitrogen fertilizer, can also increase protein levels while increasing yields. However, these effects will also be affected by weather and environmental changes (Reznick et al., 2021). Overall, if you want to make wheat more nutritious, rich genetic resources and accurate seed selection are really important. 3.2 Application of biofortification technologies Biofortification using breeding and agronomic methods is a good way to increase the content of trace elements in wheat. For example, spraying zinc or iron-containing fertilizers, or cultivating wheat varieties rich in these elements, have been shown to significantly increase the zinc and iron content in grains (Jiang et al., 2023). Taking zinc as an example, zinc-fortified wheat not only increases the total amount, but also improves the absorption and utilization rate of zinc, and increases some other nutrients (Jiang et al., 2023). This method is particularly helpful for those who rely on wheat as their staple food, and can effectively prevent "hidden hunger". In addition, some studies have also found that the use of nano-trace element fertilizers, combined with reasonable weed control management, can also further increase the protein, carbohydrate and amino acid content in wheat grains (Al-Gburi and Al-Gburi, 2023). 3.3 Exploration of gene editing and transgenic approaches With the development of molecular genetics, gene editing and transgenic technologies can now be used to further improve the nutrition of wheat. Scientists have found a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) related to protein content and nutritional properties (Kartseva et al., 2023). This provides a direction for precise improvement of wheat. Some genes, such as the gene encoding trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase, are involved in protein synthesis, transportation and recycling. Improving these genes can help improve the quality of grain protein (Alomari et al., 2023). Through genetic engineering, wheat varieties with high resistant starch have also been cultivated. This type of wheat has more resistant starch, higher dietary fiber density, and no effect on taste (Bird and Regina, 2018). These new technologies, together with traditional breeding and biofortification, have opened up new ways to cultivate more nutritious wheat suitable for functional foods. 4 Impact of Agronomic Practices on Nutrient Content 4.1 Soil nutrient management and micronutrient accumulation To get more trace elements in wheat grains, soil nutrient management must be done well. Compared with using only inorganic fertilizers, adding farmyard manure (FYM) or crop residues can enrich the trace elements such as manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in the soil. Long-term use of farmyard manure can also keep the soil at a high level of trace elements and reduce the loss of elements during planting, which is very helpful for stabilizing wheat yield and improving quality (Shiwakoti et al., 2019). Applying trace element fertilizers, such as zinc fertilizer and selenium fertilizer, is also a common method, which can significantly increase the content of these minerals in wheat grains. The effect of fertilization will be affected by the terrain and fertilization method, among which foliar fertilization often has a better effect. If organic fertilizers and inorganic fertilizers are used together, the nutrient absorption rate can be further improved, soil health can be improved, and wheat can accumulate more key elements (Chang et al., 2024; Sharma et al., 2024). 4.2 Influence of irrigation and fertilization regimes Irrigation and fertilization have a great impact on wheat yield and nutrient content. Reasonable arrangement of water and nitrogen fertilizer can not only increase wheat yield, but also make resource utilization more efficient.
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