Amylase activity in triticale, X Triticosecale Wittmack

Abstract

Triticale, Triticosecale, amylase SUMMARY Amylase activity in leaves and the seed exhibited variations among 12 cultivars of hexaploid triticales and was considerably higher than either octaploid triticale or hexaploid wheat. Amylase activity was influenced by the levels of nitrogen and the maturity stages of the kernel. The bran-free endosperm had much lower amylase activity than the whole meal. The measurement of dry matter. starch. total sugars and reducing sugars during the stages of kernel development indicated significant positive correlation between days after anthesis and amounts of starch and dry matter and negative correlation with total sugars, reducing sugars and amylase activity. However, a lower rate of starch accumulation and higher rate of amylase activity prior to kernel maturity was clearly evident.

Scanning electron microscopy of mature grains of rye, wheat and triticale with emphasis on grain shrivelling

“…A lower rate and early termination of starch deposition and a short duration of dry matter accumulation have been found to be characteristic features accompanying grain shrivelling in triticale (KLASSEN et al 1971;HILL et al 1974;SALMINEN and HILL 1978;SINGH et al 1978;SRIVASTAVA 1978;CHING et al 1983;PENAet al 1982;DHALI-WAL and SHARMA 1986). The activity of certain enzymes related to starch biosynthesis, such as ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase, was much reduced in shrivelled kernels (CHING et al 1983).…”

“…A correlation between an elevated a-amylase activity and grain shrivelling has been inferred from comparisons made (a) between successive stages of grain development in triticale; (b) between triticale lines with different grain qualities; and (c) between triticale and wheat or rye ( M~T Z I N G 1963;KLASSEN et al 1971;HILL et al 1974;DEDIO et al 1975;RAO et al 1976;SINGH et al 1978;SRIVASTAVA 1978;BRANLARD et al 1985;MACRI et al 1986). C H I N G~~ aI.…”