Import-Substituting Durum Wheat for Pasta Developed in Omsk

The Omsk Agrarian Research Center (ARC) has developed a breeding line of durum wheat. It can be a perfect substitute for the Italian varieties used in Siberia for durum pasta. This was stated by Peter Nikolaev, the Head of the Breeding and Seed Production Center of the Omsk ARC.

«This is the first durum wheat line that will meet all requirements of both international and Russian standards both in terms of color and gluten index. This is a very promising line that is fully suitable for pasta,» said Nikolaev on the sidelines of the AgroOmsk-2022 Exhibition.

Olga Demchenko, Head of the Grain Purchase and Shipping Department at Omsk Pasta Factory, the largest pasta manufacturer in Western Siberia, told TASS that the wheat gluten index and color are of the greatest importance for making high-quality pasta. «This is why we use up to 50% of Italian [variety] Rusticano with a gluten index of more than 80% in a milling blend and add the Bezenchukskaya golden variety for color,» she explained. The domestic wheat line, specially developed for Siberia, combines both a high gluten index and a high color index, and can eventually replace imported grain varieties.

According to Nikolaev, this year the new wheat line will be presented for state tests, which are expected to take place over the next two years. «We will continue our efforts. We have three promising breeding lines we are testing and comparing with all durum wheat varieties», he said.

The Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research, created at the Omsk ARC under the Science National Project, greatly assist breeders in their work. It helps them to develop new varieties more quickly — four or five years instead of 10-12. «We identify genes in a particular variety. This happens in the winter, and in the spring we tell breeders which promising lines contain the DNA they need in terms of yield, quality, and disease resistance. They sow them in the field and cross them,» the scientist explained.

The Omsk Region is one of the leading agricultural regions in Siberia. In 2021, it harvested about 3 million tonnes of grains and legumes, 363.4 thousand tonnes of oilseeds, almost 460 thousand tonnes of potatoes and vegetables.
Source: tass.ru