Table 1.
Comparison of stem bending strength (g), lodging index, Klason lignin content (as % CWR), and COMT activity (pkat mg-1 protein) of basal second internodes in wheat cultivars H4564 and C6001 at different developmental stages
| Developmental stages | Cultivars | Stem bending strength | Lodging index | Lignin content | COMT activity |
| Elongation | C6001 | 167±12 | n.d. | 2.85±0.37 | 12.6±1.33 |
| H4564 | 183±25* | n.d. | 2.93±0.31 | 13.4±1.21 | |
| Heading | C6001 | 288±21 | 0.97±0.08 | 4.54±1.24 | 26.8±1.05 |
| H4564 | 562±41** | 0.54±0.04** | 7.55±2.08* | 35.5±2.10** | |
| Milky | C6001 | 523±41 | 0.63±0.05 | 10.20±1.68 | 90.4±5.07 |
| H4564 | 933±81** | 0.37±0.03** | 14.49±2.30* | 131.3±8.94** |
n.d. means not detected. Data represent means ±standard deviation (n=15 for stem strength and lodging index, n=4 for lignin content and COMT activity). Significant differences at P0.05 and P0.01 levels between the two cultivars in the same stage are marked by * and **, respectively.