Sulfhydryl and Disulfide Patterns Associated with Vernalization of Wheat

Analyses of plumules from seedlings of a winter wheat variety (Elgin) and a spring wheat variety (Red Bobs) indicated that SH and SS contents based on protein levels were similar in the whiter and spring wheat tissues grown at 20 C. Boll) varieties, when grown nt 3 C, contained greater concentrations of SH and SS groups, based on protein levels, than those present in the tissues grown at 20 C. The spring wheat tissues at 3 C maintained relatively constant levels of SH and SS during the growth period. Sulfhydryl (SH) and SS groups based on fresh weights were present in greater quantities in the tissues of the spring wheat grown at 20 C than in the winter wheat tissues grown at 20 C. The high SH and SS concentrations present in the warm-grown spring wheat tissues were due to a high concentration of protein extracted from that tissue. The SH and SS contents per unit fresh weight were quite similar in the cold-grown tissues of both varieties during the growth period. Both varieties at both temperatures showed a similar decrease in SH and SS contents, based on fresh weights, as maturation progressed. The spring wheats grown at 3 C and 20 C and the winter wheat grown at 3 C all showed similar characteristics and differed considerably from the winter wheat grown at 20 C. These data were positively correlated with the flowering potential of the wheat varieties.