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The scientific value of Dorofeev et al. should not be underestimated.
To produce such a taxonomic monograph . de novo would be
extremely difficult in the current research funding climate.
Additionally, the combined knowledge and expertise of its authors
cannot now be reproduced. An English version would open a wealth of
information to botanists, plant breeders, geneticists, genebank
managers, and others in the wheat research community. The 25 species
and 1,242 infraspecific taxa described in Dorofeev et al. are fully
catalogued with botanical descriptions, taxonomic keys, geographic
distribution, disease traits, origin, and history. In nomenclature,
Dorofeev et al. is unique among the modern taxonomic treatments of
Triticum for its detailed synonymy and comprehensive
compilation of names - over 3000 names for the wheats are listed in
the index.
This project evolved from informal discussions that took place in
July 1999 during the Percival Symposium (Wheat - Yesterday,
Today and Tomorrow; University of Reading, UK). Our goal is to
finance a quality translation that will be published at an affordable
price. Any profits made from an English version of Dorofeev et al.
will go into a fund for translation of other significant Russian
scientific publications dealing with wheat. In February 2000,
permission to proceed with the English translation was obtained from
the Vavilov Institute (VIR, St. Petersburg, Russia), the holder of
the copyright to the Russian edition of Dorofeev et al. A translator
has been identified and various options for publication are currently
being explored.
CIMMYT recently pledged $ 5000 to the project fund established to
finance the translation and publication. We are posting this
announcement to alert the research community of the need for this
English translation and to request donations to the project fund. A
minimum of $ 5000 in matching funds will be required to support the
costs of translation and publication. Individuals and research
entities wishing to help with meeting this funding goal should
contact Laura Morrison at the above address for instructions on
submitting donations. All contributions will be acknowledged in the
published translation.
References
Dorofeev VF, Filatenko AA, Migushova EF, Udaczin RA and
Jakubziner AM (1979) Wheat. In: Dorofeev VF & Korovina ON (ed)
Flora of Cultivated Plants, vol. 1. Leningrad (St.
Petersburg), Russia. Kolos (in Russian). 346 pp.
Kimber G and Feldman M (1987) Wild wheat: an introduction. Special
Report. 353. Columbia: College of Agric, Univ Missouri.
Kimber G and Sears ER (1987) Evolution in the genus Triticum
and the origin of cultivated wheat. In: Heyne EG (ed) Wheat and wheat
improvement (2ed). Madison, Amer Soci Agron, 154-164.
Morris R and Sears ER (1967) The cytogenetics of wheat and its
relatives. In: Quisenberry KS and Reitz LP (ed) Wheat and wheat
improvement. Madison, Amer Soci Agron, 19-87.
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