RELATION BETWEEN FREEZING TOLERANCE AND SEED STORAGE PROTEINS IN WINTER BREAD WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

Low temperature is one of the most important abiotic stresses limiting wheat growth and productivity. Selection for complex genetic traits, such as freezing resistance, can simplify the plant breeding programs when related markers are identified and present in the breeding lines. In the present study, ten improved bread wheat lines were assessed for freezing resistance based on LT50 measurement. Randomized complete block design with three replications were used. Four types of seed proteins: high molecular weight glutenin, low molecular weight glutenin, gliadin and some water-salt soluble proteins were evaluated by SDS-PAG..Our results showed significant differences between studied lines in respect with LT50. Some relationships were also seen between protein subunits and freezing resistance. In addition, significant increase in proline accumulation in leaf tissue of LT-tolerant cultivars was seen during cold acclimation. This may be used as a biochemical marker to identify resistant cultivars.