Post-anthesis heat stress and sowing time affect leaf and grain composition of wheat

Abstract Heat stress reduces wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) quality. The current study aims to investigate the influence of post-anthesis heat stress on photosynthetic pigments and grain quality in thirteen GpcB1 gene introgressed high protein wheat genotypes under early (ES), timely (TS), and late sown (LS) conditions. Heat stress significantly decreased chlorophyll and carotenoid content in flag leaf and peduncle of TS and LS genotypes at 7, 14, and 21 days after anthesis (DAA). Photosynthetic pigments were not affected in ES genotypes at different DAA. Starch, amylose, amylopectin, and protein contents were significantly lower in grains of TS and LS genotypes compared to ES genotypes. Total soluble sugars increased in grains of all wheat genotypes under LS conditions. Genotypes PBW 821, BWL 7502, BWL 7508, BWL 7509, and BWL 7511 were found to have sustained grain quality in all three environments and could be used to improve wheat quality in the future.