THE LAW OF PROPORTIONAL DEPENDENCE OF THE NUMBER OF CARYOPSES AND THEIR TOTAL MASS IN THE WHEAT SHOOT SPIKE ON ITS VEGETATIVE MASS
The article deals with the results of long-term studies on the shoot reproductive function in wheat varieties with different genome composition and ploidy levels. It is for the first time that the reproductive function has been studied in biological time from the viewpoint of morphogenesis and donor-acceptor relations of the vegetative and reproductive organs of the shoot. The status of the reproductive function and its main characteristics are described. The shoot forms its physical body by means of successive growth form-building acts (morphophases) from the stage of germination to ear formation. The total number of morphophases and that of leaves formed on the shoot are mutually proportional. The data obtained in the course of studies show that the terms of the start and end of spikelet and flower rudiments setting, the period of spikes formation, the time of start of the spontaneous dying away of the less developed flowers are in proportional dependence on the total number of its leaves and are closely connected with the definite morphophases. The donor - acceptor relations between the vegetative, vegetative and reproductive organs are regulated as well. The vegetative mass of the shoot spike at the period of ear formation is in close proportional dependence on the size of its vegetative mass. At the stage of full ripeness the total amount of caryopses in the wheat ear and their aggregate mass (acceptors) are also in close proportional dependence on its vegetative mass as assimilators’ donor. The proportional type of dependence has the status of regularity which is far beyond the limits of the Triticum genus and is also found in such plants as Secale, Triticale, Avena, Hordeum, Panicum, Zea mais.