Biochemical Characterization of Itchgrass (Rottboellia exaltata) Biotypes

Abstract

Polyacrylamide electrophoresis and spectroscopic methods were used to characterize biotypes A and B itchgrass [Rottboellia exaltataL.f. # ROOEX] and their F2progeny. Electrophoretic analyses of F2progeny showed that differences between these two biotypes are multiallelic. Spectrophotometric data indicated differences between the photosynthetic apparatus of the two biotypes. These differences may reflect different abilities to adapt to varying light conditions and infer that these biotypes promote survival of the species by increasing the number of environmental nitches thatR. exaltatacan occupy.