CAROTENOIDS IN DURUM WHEAT: DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERNS DURING TWO GROWING SEASONS
Variations in seed pigment concentrations of Triticum durum Desf. cv. Hercules were studied during two growing seasons. In the second season, the effects on seed pigment of spraying durum wheat with CPTA (chlorophenylthiotriethylamine) at 3.9 kg/ha, 1 and 2 wk after flowering were also studied. Normal pigment synthesis showed one period of synthesis for chlorophyll, but two for carotenoids. One complement of carotenoids seems to be associated with the chloroplast, while the other is probably located in the endosperm. CPTA appeared to affect the size and duration of chlorophyll and α + β carotene pools. Lutein concentrations at 33 days after flowering were at the same level in sprayed and non-sprayed samples. Since mature seeds showed pigment increases of up to 20% after spraying with CPTA, a late synthesis of lutein is indicated.