Sucrose and fructan metabolism of different wheat cultivars at chilling temperatures

Abstract

Four wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) varieties cultivated in different climates from subtropics to North Patagonia were used to study sucrose and fructan metabolism in plants when submitted to a cold period. Higher levels of sugars were found in the more cold tolerant cultivars. Sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) and sucrose phosphate synthase (EC 2.4.1.14) activities showed a 2–3 fold increase when plants were grown at 4°C for 10 days. The more cold‐tolerant wheat cultivars also showed the higher levels of enzyme activities. These metabolical changes were not due to anatomical or morphological differences produced during growth at 4°C