Ribonucleic acids in the embryos of germinating wheat grains of different ripeness

Abstract

During 48 h germination of wheat grains of different ripeness the amount of RNA in the germinating embryos doubles, while the rate of synthesis is to a large extent correlated with the level of ribonucleic acids accumulated during the development and ripening of the grain. The highest RNA content was noted in the germs developing from grain harvested at the stage of full ripeness, the lowest - in germs from grain at milk ripeness. Intensity of ³H-uridine incorporation into the RNA fraction of the germs during 24-h germination also depends on ripeness. Significantly lower RNA synthesis was noted in germinating embryos from wheat grain harvested during milk ripeness as compared to wax or full ripeness.