IN-VITRO SELECTION FOR MODIFIED AMINO-ACID PATHWAYS IN TRITICUM SPECIES

In vitro selections were carried out to obtain mutant plants of Tritic um aestivum L. and T. monococcum L. with modified amino-acid pathways. Embryogenic callus cultures were selected with the amino acids L-lysi ne plus L-threonine and the amino acid analogues S-2-aminoethyl-L-cyst eine, 5-methyl-L-tryptophan and sulfometuron-methyl. A number of plant s were regenerated from these selections and tested for resistance at the whole-plant level. Only plants from the selections with sulfometur on-methyl proved to be resistant and these were characterized biochemi cally. Three different mutant lines could be detected. The resistance of these plants could be associated with an altered enzyme. Acetolacta te synthase was less sensitive to inhibition. A discussion of the suit ability of the selection agents is presented.