alpha-Amylase activity in developing triticale grains
1991
Mares, D.J. | Oettler, G.
Changes in grain weight, moisture content and alpha-amylase activity during grain development and ripening were compared in four spring, hexaploid triticales. The patterns of change in grain weight and moisture content were similar for all cultivars. alpha-amylase activity changes were by comparison, markedly genotype dependent, alpha-amylase activity reached a peak at around 15 days post anthesis (dpa) in all four cultivars and then declined to low levels by 30 dpa. This peak of activity was associated with a subset of the low pl, alpha-Amy-2 isozymes controlled by the group 7 chromosomes. Between 30 dpa and harvest ripeness, samples of the two cultivars, Currency and Aus 20844, were characterized by extreme variations in grain amylase activity, whereas the other two cultivars maintained much lower levels of activity. These changes in activity were due to the synthesis of high pl, alpha-Amy-1 isozymes controlled by the group 6 chromosomes. These isozymes are typically observed in germinating grains; however, in this study no germination was detected and, indeed, the weather conditions were not conducive to sprouting. These results are discussed in relation to strategies for developing improved triticale cultivars with low grain amylase at harvest ripeness.
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