(go to NO.23-24 Contents)



Chromosome variation in Aegilops umbellulata ZHUK.

Daniel ZOHARY

Department of Botany, the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

Ae. umbellulata plants grown from a collection secured from Western Iran were crossed with two Turkish collections of this diploid species. Five F1 hybrids between the Iranian x the two Turkish lines have been examined. All five hybrids were characterized by the frequent occurrence of a quadrivalut in metaphase I, i. e. were heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation. In contrast, Turkey x Turkey inter-varietal hybrids did not show any chromosomal difference. The latter, as well as the parental lines were characterized by regular formation of 7 bivalents. The following notes summarize pertinent geographical and morphological information on the Ae. umbellulata collections employed.

1. Acc. 007: South West Iran: 2 km north-east of Shiraz. Hills with limestone bedrock. Spiny Astragalus formation, overgrazed. Col1ected D. ZOHARY, 1960. Relatively small, condensed spikes.
2. Acc. 6044: South Turkey: 7 km north of Gaziantep on road to Marash Basaltic soil, steppe-like vegetation. Collected D. ZOHARY, 1959. Spikes relatively big; with long pedicelled upper spikelets.
3. Acc. 301: West Turkey: 10 km west of Denizli. Marly soil. Open herbaceous vegetation at roadside Collected D. ZOHARY, 1962. Spikes rather small and compact.

The information gathered indicates the presence of translocation difference within diploid Ae. umbellulata. It should be noted that the Iranian collection employed comes from the South East corner of the distribution area of this diploid. It might well be that the translocation difference found reflects eco-geographical divergence; and that the Zagros Mountains range harbors a distinct translocation race of this species.

(Rcceived July 30, 1966)



       

(go to NO.23-24 Contents)