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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » WHGQ » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #336391
Title: Avoiding Low Falling Numbers Problems in Wheat

Author
item Steber, Camille

Submitted to: Crops and Soils
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2017
Publication Date: 3/23/2017
Citation: Steber, C.M. 2017. Avoiding Low Falling Numbers Problems in Wheat. Crops and Soils. Vol. 50, Issue 2, pages 22-25.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Hagberg-Perten Falling Number (FN) method is used to detect starch degradation due to ''-amylase enzyme activity in wheat meal. Wheat can be severely discounted when the FN is below 300 seconds. Farmers in the northwest wheat-growing states suffered serious economic losses due to widespread problems with low Falling Numbers (FN) in 2016. This article discusses the roles of preharvest sprouting and Late Maturity Alpha-Amylase in triggering low FN, and discusses possible management strategies.