ABSTRACT

Ninety-seven diverse lines from several Triticum spp were tested in a warm ripening environment for alpha amylase, grain appearance and bulk density after controlled wetting. Grain colour and period of ripening also were measured. Descriptive heritabilities over all species were 0.44, 0.45, 0.73, 0.83, 0.90 respectively. Differences amongst lines generally formed gradations from one extreme to the next, without marked separation points (except for grain colour). The white wheats Spoetnik and Stewart had low levels of alpha-amylase and deterioration of appearance, and may be regarded as semi-resistant to sprouting.