Evidence of natural hybridization between Aegilops geniculata and wheat under field conditions in Central Spain.
This study deals with hybrids between Aegilops geniculata and bread wheat, Triticum aestivum L., detected in two Ae. geniculata populations in the "Meseta Central", Spain's central plateau where wheat is a major crop. Morphological traits and pentaploid chromosome numbers were used to identify hybrids in 2004 and 2005. The frequency of hybridization under natural conditions was calculated for one of these populations. Six hybrids were detected from a sample of 3158 seeds from this population. The hybrids were mainly sterile but seed set can be found. This study extends the range of documented hybridization to include central Spain. The potential risks associated with natural hybridization in the context of transgenic wheat cultivation are discussed.
Loureiro
Iñigo
I
Dpto. Protección Vegetal. INIA. Ctra. La Coruña Km. 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Escorial
María Concepción
MC
García-Baudín
José María
JM
Chueca
María Cristina
MC
D032461:Chromosomes, Plant; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D051479:Plant Infertility / Q000235:genetics; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000502:physiology; D006109:Poaceae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D014908:Triticum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology