The effect of high and low molecular weight glutenin subunits on viscoelastic properties of wheat kernels was investigated using creep tests with generalized Kelvin-Voigt model (r(2) approximate to 0.94; P < 0.0001). Glu-A1, Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 affected the creep coefficients in Glu-1 loci. Regarding LMW-GS, the locus Glu-A3 had highest influence on creep followed by Glu-B3: Glu-D3 did not showed differences. In general, the modulus of elasticity E-0 approximate to 242 MPa and viscosity was mu(0) approximate to 1.6 x 10(7) MPa.s. Higher elastic moduli and viscosity were found in HMW-GS and LMW-GS of good quality compared to the poor quality performance genotypic groups. Samples with subunit Glu-A1 null presented lower elastic modulus and viscosity compared to Glu-A1 1 and 2*. Glu-B1 13 +16 presented higher elastic modulus and viscosity, which is associated with good quality performance. The elastic moduli, especially E-0 were positively correlated with SOS-volume and theological properties. This methodology can be applied to few kernels is easy, rapid, and nondestructive. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.