Cuticular wax of wheat : The effects of chromosomal deficiencies on the biosynthesis of wax components.

n-Alkanes, esters, aldehydes, free alcohols, β-diketones and hydroxy-β-diketones were found to be the lipid components of the cuticular waxes of common wheat Chinese Spring (Triticum aestivum L.). The ditelosomic lines 7A-L and 7D-S showed a dramatic decrease in the amount of β-diketones and hydroxy β-diketones which are reduced to traces. The homologue composition within each class of compounds has also been determined for all three of the lines of wheat. The effects of chromosomal deficiencies have been demonstrated. Chromatographic techniques and mass spectrometry have been used for the separation and identification of the substances which compose the waxes. This study has provided further evidence of the role of genes situated on well defined chromosomes in determining the nature of classes of compounds composing wax and governing the homologous composition within each class of substances.