The isolation and characterization of a waxy mutant of diploid wheat (Triticum monococcum L.)

A waxy mutant of diploid wheat (Triticum monococcum L.) was isolated by scr eening M-3 seeds derived from 1% ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenized m aterials with KI-I, staining of endosperm starch. This mutant was controlle d by a single waxy gene that completely lacked amylose, the 59-kDa waxy pro tein and the granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSS I) activity in the endos perm. Moreover, the T. monococcum exhibited the gene dosage effects in term s of amylose content, the amount of waxy protein and the GBSS activity. The chain length distribution of amylopectin of the waxy mutant endosperm star ch slightly differed from that of the wild type; the long chains of DP grea ter than or equal to 19 were more enriched in the waxy amylopectin than tho se in the wild type. The mutant can be an important material for studies on starch metabolism and breeding in Triticum species. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scie nce Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.