The role of sensitivity to abscisic acid and gibberellin in pre-maturity α-amylase formation in wheat grains

• PMA induction by a cold-shock is related to an increase in GA-sensitivity in the susceptible genotype.
• This increase in GA-sensitivity occurred at about 640 degree days after anthesis.
• There was no evidence for a change in ABA-sensitivity during PMA formation by a cold-shock.
• A cold-shock also increased GA-sensitivity in susceptible Spark × Rialto genotypes, there was little change in ABA-sensitivity.

To study the role of abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) sensitivity in regulating pre-maturity α-amylase (PMA) in wheat grains, plants were grown in a glasshouse under cold-shock and ambient conditions. α-amylase activity in response to applied ABA and GA was measured in detached-grains with the embryo removed (in vitro) and in intact-grains attached to the plant (in situ). The in vitro experiment was conducted using Spark (low PMA-susceptible genotype) and Rialto (highly PMA-susceptible genotype), with the aim of defining the time point for GA-sensitivity. The results showed an increase in GA-sensitivity at about 640 degree days after anthesis (DAA) in Rialto. There was no evidence for a change in ABA-sensitivity in either variety. The in situ experiments were conducted using genotypes from a Spark × Rialto doubled haploid population segregating for the Rht-D1a (tall) or Rht-D1b allele and for the presence or absence of 1BS/1RS. For Rht-D1a (tall) or Rht-D1b genotypes with or without 1BS/1RS, the cold-shock significantly increased GA-sensitivity, whereas there was no significant change in ABA-sensitivity. These results show PMA is related to an increase in GA-sensitivity that occurs in the aleurone at around 640 degree DAA, and can be enhanced by environmental factors (e.g. cold-shock).