Nucleic acid contents and polyribosome formation in wheat embryos during germination and vernalization

The contents of RNA and DNA in wheat embryo, determined by theSTS method, were higher during cold treatment than the periodof germination. The ratios of sRNA and IRNA to DNA and thatof sRNA to total RNA for both periods were similar accordingto MAK column chromatography. The polyribosome contents werehigher during cold treatment than germination. However, monosomecontents were identical for both periods. During germination,the polyribosome content was the highest in embryos germinatedfor two days and continuously decreased thereafter. During coldtreatment, polyribosome content was maximum in embryos cold-treatedfor 10 days then and decreased slowly for 60 days. (Received August 12, 1977; )