Developmental Differences in Embryos of High and Low Protein Wheat Seeds during Germination

Abstract

Developmental patterns of embryos from high and low protein wheat (Triticum aestivum [Cv. Yamhill]) grain produced under varied fertilizer conditions were compared. High protein grain produced seedlings 25% heavier with 25% more total RNA, 30% more DNA, 40% more amino acids, 60% more ribosomes and 80% more soluble protein content than that of low protein seed. Consistently higher glutamine synthetase [EC 6.3.1.2] and .alpha.-amylase [EC 3.2.1.1] and lower acid phosphatase [EC 3.1.3.2] activities were observed in high protein seeds, though the isozyme pattern of .alpha.-amylase was not different in the 2 kinds of seeds. The high total ribosomes and particularly, polysome content observed in high protein seeds may be responsible for the rapid growth and high yield of these seeds.