Changes in hybridizable RNA in winter wheat embryos during germination and vernalization

DNA-RNA hybridization-competition experiments were performed to analyze RNA heterogeneity in wheat embryos during germination and vernalization. A significant difference was found between RNA populations of 24-hr and 3-day germinated embryos, while minor differences were detected between 3- and 5-day germinated embryo RNAs and between 20- and 40-day cold-treated embryo RNAs. RNA populations in 30-day cold-treated embryos were significantly different from those in 50-day ones. The RNA species present in 50-day cold-treated embryos were not similar to those in 3- and 5-day germinated embryos. A great portion of the RNA species in 3-day germinated embryos was found in 30-day cold-treated embryos. These results suggested that some new RNA species are synthesized in wheat embryos during 30 to 50 days of cold treatment. (auth.)