REFLECTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSES ON THE AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF WHEAT

Abstract

The adaptation of wheat to different environmental stresses (drought and cold) was studied. The role of amino acids in this process is well known. Stress induced free amino acid accumulation was compared in tissue cultures and in seedlings. The range of studied species included Chinese Spring, Cappelle Desprez and Cheyenne wheat varieties, as well as disomic chromosome substitution lines of Cappelle Desprez into Chinese Spring and Cheyenne into Chinese Spring .. The profile of free amino acid accumulations caused by stress conditions was found to depend on the stress tolerance of the varieties and the nature of the treatment. The results suggested that there is a link between the drought and frost tolerance of wheat. We have found that chromosomes 5A and 5D were associated with both osmotic and cold stress induced free amino acid accumulation.