BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN DEVELOPING HEXA-, TETRA AND DIPLOID WHEAT SEEDS

Within our research program of Triticum species relations preliminary studies on changes of some biochemical compounds in hexa-, tetra- and diploid wheat seeds during maturation have been carried out. Fresh and dry weight, water, nucleic acid, starch and total protein and soluble nitrogen content have been determined in T. aestivum, T . turgidum ancl T . monococcum developing grains after different times from anthesis. A fractionation in solubility classes of proteins has also been performed to better relate rations between gliadins and glutenins with maturation time. The results have been discussed in relation to polyploidy influence on grain development and on synthesis and accumulation of storage proteins.