Protein spectra from 4n and 6n species of Triticum were obtained by electrophoresis of seed extracts on polyacrylamide gels. Homologies among the species with regard to protein bands were tested by comparing each species with the standard T. dicoccum in a protein mixture spectrum. By reference to two pairs of homologous bands, each spectrum was then adjusted to the migration velocity of the standard by photographic enlargement. The homologies were found to be consistent with evidence from conventional methods regarding genome relationships among the Triticum polyploids. T. dicoccoides and other known AABB tetraploids showed nine fast‐moving albumin homologues, while T. timopheevi and other known AAGG tetraploids showed seven. The two genomic groups had five albumin bands in common. The hexaploid (AABBDD) subspecies showed 12 albumin homologues, 9 of which were also homologous with the 9 of the AABB tetraploids and 3 of which were attributed to the D‐genome donor. Differences among species within each of the tetraploid genomic groups and among the hexaploid subspecies were largely confined to the slow‐moving bands of the gliadin series.
Crude seed‐protein extracts of wheat and wheat relatives were fractionated by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. Homology of fractions in the resulting spectra was used as a criterion of genetic affinity among the species and among their genomes. The spectra of Triticum monococcum (AA), T. dicoccum (AABB) and T. aestivum (AABBDD) confirmed evidence from conventional methods that the A and B genomes are different, that the dicoccum A genome is only partially homologous with the monococcum genome, and that the affinity between T. dicoccum and T. aestivum involves the A and B genomes about equally. They also showed the monococcum genome to have more affinity with the aestivum A or both A and D, than with the dicoccum A genome. Protein homologies permitted discrimination of distant as well as close affinities: the spectra of T. monococcum (AA) and Secale cereale (EE) showed no homologous fractions (r = 0.05), while the spectra of T. dicoccum and T. durum (both AABB) showed 10 homologous and 5 sub‐homologous fractions out of 15 (r = 0.92). Previous evidence that an amphiploid spectrum comprises essentially the sum of the fractions in its parental spectra was verified by the dissimilar spectra of T. aestivum (AABBDD) and S. cereale (EE) which accounted for all of the fractions of their amphiploid hybrid, Triticale (AABBDDEE). The effect of each parent upon the amphiploid spectrum was proportional to the number of genomes it contributes.
Plants with a genetically determined low morphine content have been studied. During two years one spontaneous mutant has produced a morphine content in opium of 2 per cent and 0.03 per cent in dry, ripe capsules. Other alkaloids are only found in trace amounts. At least 9 per cent cross pollination occurred in Papaver somniferum as a two year average. Another spontaneous mutant has been isolated with a low production of morphine and a high thebaine content. The fresh latex of this mutant shows a reddish colour.
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