Wheat is one of the most important and widespread agricultural crop in the world. In Croatia, in terms of production, wheat is second dominant crop and occupies around 20% of total arable land. Furthermore, in the context of the purchase price, grain quality plays a very important role for producers. The aim of the study was to analyze the parameters of wheat grain quality (protein content, hectoliter mass, moisture content and total impurities) in eastern Croatia and to examine the role of weather conditions during the two winter wheat growing seasons (2017/2018, 2018/2019). Wheat samples from 12 different locations in the east Croatia were collected and analyzed. The protein content was determined using the Omega Analyzer G (Bruins instruments, USA), moisture and hectoliter mass were done using GAC 2100 (Dickey John, USA) while the determination of total impurities was determined by simple sieving and weighing. Based on the analysis of 17 509 samples taken over two years from the four counties of eastern Croatia (Osjecko-baranjska, Vukovarsko-srijemska, Brodsko-posavska and Pozesko-slavonska), the average values of protein content were 12.74 % with variation from 11.47 % to 14.54 %. At the same time, hectoliter weight was 76.92 kg hl-1, grain moisture 12.78 % and total impurities 4.44 %. Generally, weather conditions during 2018/2019 vegetation period were more favorable for wheat quality compared to the second tested season while differences between sites were connected probably with agrotehnics measures and cultivar.

winter wheat, grain quality, weather characteristisc, east Croatia

field crops and pastures

Presentation: None