ALLELIC VARIABILITY AT THE GLU-1 LOCI IN WHEAT-VARIETIES

The high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin sub-unit composition of 697 w heat varieties from 20 countries was analysed and the alleles at the G lu-1 loci recorded using standardised procedures. Forty-nine of the va rieties were heterogeneous in their glutenin composition. The varietie s could be divided into 63 groups on the basis of the HMW glutenin sub -units. The frequency of occurrence of these groups varied, with four of them accounting for over a third of the varieties tested. The distr ibution of glutenin alleles in various countries was found to differ, as was the overall level of gene diversity as measured by two differen t indices. The results are discussed in the context of the use of HMW glutenin sub-unit analysis for distinctness, uniformity and stability testing in wheat.