|
These uniform Iranian varieties have also become of great
interest to breeders in other countries including in Europe.
According to the investigations of Mrs. Dr. E. FUCHS,
Biologische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig, West-Germany
(information through correspondence), the 4 varieties proved
to be susceptible to race 20 Iran of Puccinia strii
formis but resistant to race 20 Turkey ; 2 varieties are
resistant to 3 races prevalent in Europe.
Table 3. Seedling tests of 4
Iranian wheat varieties with different races of yellow
rust
In 1952 growing of Triticum aestivum ssp.
spelta was found on the high plateau of Shahr- Kord
near Isfahan. The extent of this spelta growing area was
determined by taking samples from 18 localities which are
pintpointed in the map by dark circles (Fig.
1). The genetic variation of these samples was analysed
in a research programme as to the variation of the
spelta-complex and other characters such as
winter-summer type etc. The spelta complex is some
times broken up, and great numbers of transitorial types to
the free threshing T. aestivum ssp. vulgare
could be detected. Thus a contribution could be given on the
problem-being yet unsolved at that time-of the evolution of
the hexaploid wheat as to whether T. aestivum ssp.
spelta ist the ancestor of the free threshing
hexaploid wheats or a derivative which has arisen from free
threshing types by mutation recently occurred in Europe.
Since the analysis of the spelta findings in Iran had
been made the latter hypothesis forwarded by SCHIEMANN and
FLAKSBERGER simultaneously in 1930 is now to be abolished
(GOKGOL 1961, KUCKUCK 1964, KUCKUCK und SCHIEMANN 1957,
POHLENDT 1958). Spelta growing in Iran has disappeared
completely in the course of the past 15 years ; meaning this
small center of wheat evolution is now irridicated. However
the former selected lines of the Iranian spelta are being
maintained in the gene bank at Braunschweig-Volkenrode.
Furthermore the findings of Secale vavilovii, a
rather rare wild species proved to be of great value for
breeding purposes and research in other fields as well. All
data on this matter are summarized in Table
4. I succeeded to collect two samples of this species
which are located in a distance of 63 and 9 km from Hamadan
respectively : one sample as weed in a wheat field and the
second on a steep road side.The progenies of both samples
turned out to be completely identical and uniform. The
genome proved to be very stable as to spontaneous mutations
and also after treatment by X-rays. S. vavilovii is
characterized by fragile ears, very small grains and
cleistogamous flowers. It is fully self fertil. Samples were
distributed to about 20 research institutes the results of
which have been presented in about 12 publications up to now
(KRANZ 1957, 1973, KUCKUCK und KRANZ 1953, KUSH 1963).
Genetic-cytological studies carried out with a view to
problems of evolution of cultivated rye revealed the fact
that Secale vavilovii is differentiated from S.
cereale by two translocations and some smaller
chromosomal differences. However the chromosome number of
both species is the same 2n=14 (KRANZ 1961, 1973, KUSH
1963).
|