MATERNAL EFFECTS ON THE EXPRESSION OF INDIVIDUAL ALIPHATIC GLUCOSINOLATES IN SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS OF BRASSICA-NAPUS

An investigation into the glucosinolate profile of seed and leaf tissu e of F1 hybrids from reciprocal crosses between B. napus 'Cobra' and a synthetic B. napus line was undertaken to test hypotheses concerning the site of biosynthesis of seed glucosinolates. The profile of the se ed aliphatic glucosinolates was identical to the maternal parent sugge sting the absence of glucosinolate biosynthesis and glucosinolate inte rconversion within the embryo and the transfer of fully formed glucosi nolates from maternal tissue into the developing seed. In cotyledons, while there was no evidence for de novo glucosinolate biosynthesis, th ere was evidence for side chain modification and the interconversion o f existing glucosinolates. In true leaves, the glucosinolate profile o f the reciprocal F1 hybrids were identical, and in accordance with tha t expected from the F1 genotype.