Abstract
The relationship between fructan (fructose polymer) level in early winter and overwintering ability in wheat varieties was studied by using 15 varieties and 14 lines related to pedigree of breeding. 1. The concentration of fructan in the shoot predominated over that of glucose, fructose or sucrose in all varieties or lines. Fructan concentration in stem base including leaf sheath was approximately twice as much as leaf blade, and the varieties were divided into two groups in accordance with the fructan concentration. 2. The fructan concentration was closely correlated with the overwintering ability. This result implies that this polysaccharide is influentially involved in the winter survival. 3. All the genotypes containing high fructan have a close linkage to the genotypes bred in cold regions, Turkey Red II, Hon-iku 49, Hokuriku 17, Yukichabo, F7 and Hokuriku 49, on pedigree.
