Changes in carbohydrate levels during ice encasement and flooding of winter cereals

Carbohydrate levels and production of ethanol and malic acid were followed in the acclimated crown tissue of four cereal cultivars during ice-encasement and low-temperature-flooding treatments. Tolerance to both anaerobic stresses ranked as 'Lutescens 230' wheat > 'OAC Wintri' triticale > 'Fredrick' wheat > 'Siete Cerros' wheat. All cultivars produced more ethanol during flooding than icing treatments. The winter cereal cultivars, 'Lutescens 230,' 'OAC Wintri,' and 'Fredrick,' produced significantly more ethanol than the spring wheat, 'Siete Cerros,' but consistent differences among the winter cultivars were not observed. Malic acid was not accumulated after 7 days icing or 14 days flooding. The quantity of total available carbohydrate, total ethanol-soluble carbohydrate, and reducing sugars in the crown tissue was highest in those cultivars with high icing and flooding tolerance. In addition, the most tolerant cultivar, 'Lutescens 230,' had a greater rate of carbohydrate utilization during stress treatme...