Testing S and N on Asparagine Concentrations in Winter Wheat.

High concentrations of asparagine in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) can lead to acrylamide production in baked food products, which can be a health concern. Fertility and genetics may impact the amount of asparagine in winter wheat. The objectives of this study are to determine the effect of genetics, nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) fertility on grain yield, asparagine concentration, and protein in winter wheat. This experiment is set up in a 3X2X4 factorial where there are 3 levels of N (55, 100 and 145 kg/ha), 2 levels of S (0 and 22 kg/ha as ammonium sulfate), and 4 levels of genotype (Everest, Fuller, Jagger, and 2137), in a split-split plot design with four replications. Nitrogen was the whole plot, S was the sub plot and the genotype was the sub-sub plot. The experiment was conducted in Manhattan, KS on a Belvue Silt Loam soil with organic matter concentration of 9.0 g/kg and 7 kg/ha of S in the upper 60-cm of the soil. Grain yield of all four genotypes increased with sulfur application. We found a strong sulfur by nitrogen interaction (p<0.001). When only nitrogen was applied there was no increase in yield. However, when sulfur was applied with nitrogen grain yield increased by 57%. Asparagine concentration in grain was affected by N, S, genotype, and a N by genotype interaction. Without S, Fuller and Jagger had asparagine concentrations of 20.7 to 21.0 ug/g and Everest and 2137 had lower asparagine concentrations of 12.8 to 13.8 ug/g (p<0.05). When S was applied, asparagine concentrations declined to < 3 ug/g (p<0.05) and there were not any differences between genotypes (p>0.05). Information from this study will help producers manage their fields and change their practices to limit the asparagine concentrations in their grain, thereby, decreasing the negative side effects from consuming wheat.