Effects of Nanonetworks That Control Preharvest Sprouting on Wheat Grain Quality and Its Germination-Related Gene Expression

The occurrence of preharvest sprouting (PHS) seriously affects the yield, quality, and food security of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A new type of nanonetwork with optimal attapulgite and amino silicone oil (OAA) prevents grains and glumes from absorbing moisture to a great extent, thereby efficiently inhibiting PHS in wheat. Compared with the control (CK) group where grains were treated with water, grains of the OAA-treated group had significantly lower soluble protein content as well as dramatically inhibited activities of α-amylase, catalase, and oxidase. Furthermore, the expression levels of genes involved in grain germination were notably higher in grains treated with OAA. The results of field prevention experiments elucidated many advantages of treatment with OAA. First, the rate of PHS in the OAA-treated group was significantly lower than that in the CK group. Second, quality parameters including the harvested grain sedimentation value, bulk density, flour extraction rate, and hardness index were observably higher for the OAA-treated group compared with those for the CK group. Third, the thousand grain weight of the OAA-treated group was higher than that of the CK group. Our results demonstrated that OAA could effectively prevent and control the occurrence of PHS and could have broad applications in ensuring safe wheat production.