QUANTITATIVE RELATIONSHIPS OF CELLULAR PROTEIN, RNA, AND NUCLEARHISTONE IN HEXAPLOID TRITICALE AS INFLUENCED BY SOURCE OF WHEAT CYTOPLASM

Abstract

Reciprocal F1 hybrids of hexaploid triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) differing only in their source of wheat (Triticum sp.) cytoplasm were studied to determine its influence on the synthesis of cellular protein and related compounds. Microphotometric methods revealed higher levels of total cellular protein and RNA in triticales with hexaploid-wheat cytoplasm (T. aestivum L. em Thell) than those with tetraploid wheat cytoplasm (T. durum Desf.). Conversely a higher level of nuclear histone was found in tritical hybrids possessing tetraploid wheat cytoplasm. The utilization of hexaploid-wheat cytoplasm in the improvement of the agronomic performance of hexaploid triticale is suggested.