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1st IWGS Taxonomy
Workshop Report
The 1st IWGS Taxonomy Workshop committee consisted of A.B.
Damania, formerly ICARDA; M. Feldman, Weizmann Institute of Science;
T.E. Miller, John Innes Centre; LA. Morrison, Oregon State
University, and J.G. Waines, University of California, Riverside.
The workshop noted that the state of classification and nomenclature
of the genus Triticum is such that they do not well serve the
research community who need to use them.
There is confusion in the research community about the
circumscription of the genus Triticum, whether it is
Triticum L. defined narrowly, or Triticum L. emend.
defined broadly to include Triticum and Aegilops.
There is confusion about the number of species in the genus
Triticum.
There is confusion about the correct names of the species.
There is confusion about the status and nomenclature of the
subspecies and botanical varieties.
There is confusion about how to classify the domesticated varieties
and varietal groups.
There is a lack of workable keys and descriptions that many different
people, such as botanists, geneticists, agronomists, and lay persons,
can use.
The present state of taxonomy and nomenclature in Triticum is
confusing for people who collect germplasm, for people who maintain
genebanks, and for wheat breeders and geneticists who use the seed
held by these genebanks.
The workshop agreed that this situation needs to be rectified.
The workshop committee proposed that there should be a monographic
revision of the genus Triticum, and that a
professionally-trained taxonomist be asked to do this revision. The
workshop recognized that there would be a need to attract outside
funding to finance this revision which, because of the magnitude of
the task, would take several years. The revision might necessitate
consultation among interested taxonomists familiar with Russian,
German, English, and French, even though there should be one person
who would direct the project. There may be a need to consult
experimental taxonomists about the significance of genetic
differences among domesticated and wild forms.
Monographic Revision Project
These nomenclatural discussions in WIS illustrate the pressing
need to resolve the complicated issues of Triticum taxonomy.
It is timely that the 2nd IWGS Workshop will take place this year.
The workshop will primarily focus on establishing guidelines for
setting up a monographic revision project. Interested researchers who
are unable to attend the workshop can forward their comments and
suggestions directly to me.
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