Molecular analysis of a durum wheat 'stay green' mutant : Expression pattern of photosynthesis-related genes

Elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying the 'stay green' trait is not only relevant to understanding the senescence phenomenon itself, but also has potential significance for yield improvement. A mutant of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) cultivar Trinakria (designated 504) was characterised by delayed leaf senescence, and analysis of photosynthetic parameters showed that it was functionally 'stay green'. An in vitro system was established to mimic senescence by incubating wheat leaves in the dark, allowing the expression of genes known to be differentially regulated during senescence to be determined. Moreover, cDNAs found to be differentially expressed in the mutant were cloned and sequenced, showing homologies with photosynthesis-related genes.