Genetic Variability of Rubisco in Tetraploid Wheats (Triticum turgidum)

Nineteen tetraploid wheats (Triticum turgidum), differing in their agronomical behaviour and geographic origins were grown in two experiments and analysed for the following physiological traits: soluble leaf protein content, rubisco content, initial and potential carboxylase activities of this enzyme as well as its relative content in percentage of protein, the specific activity of the enzyme and its activation state. The results show a high genetic variability for all studied traits and more particularly for the initial carboxylase activity. High phenotypic correlation was observed between the rubisco content and its potential activities, in the first experiment. Correlation between souble leaf protein and rubisco content was significant in 9 genotypes of the second experiment.