Assimilate supply in relation to grain weight in wheat (Triticum aestivum L)

Abstract

The contents of various free sugars in large and small wheat grains were compared with those in normal grains at different stages of grain development. Their content paralleled grain weight only upto 14 days after anthesis (A+14). On a dry weight basis, no positive correlations were observed between the concentrations of various free sugars and grain weight at any of the stages. Differences in grain weight were dependent mainly on the number of cells formed in the endosperm which in turn seemed to be regulated by the assimilate supply available to the grain during the first 14 DAA.