Epicuticular waxes of Secale cereale and Triticale hexaploide leaves

Wax on leaves of rye and of hexaploid Triticale (60–70-day-old plants) contains hydrocarbons (6–8%), esters (10%), free alcohols (14-8%), free acids (3%), hentriacontane-14,16-dione (39–45%), 25 (S)-hydroxyhentriacontane-14,16-dione (13–11%) and unidentified (14–15%). Diesters (1–3%) are also present in rye wax. Compositions of hydrocarbons (C₂₇-C₃₃) and esters (C₂₈,C₅₈) are similar for both waxes. Free and combined alcohols of rye wax are mainly hexacosanol but alcohols of Triticale wax are mainly octacosanol. The composition of Triticale wax is close to that of its wheat parent Triticum durum (cv. Stewart 63). Esters of wax from ripe rye contain 58% of trans 2,3-unsaturated esters. *NRCC No. 14033.