GENETICS OF GROWTH HABIT IN AEGILOPS-SQUA RROSA L

Analysis in spring sowing without vernalization of the worldwide colle ction of Aegilops squarrosa L., the donor of genome D of common wheat, allowed us to verify growth habit (spring versus winter) in samples. Our experiments allowed the detecting of winter forms with a peculiar response to duration of growth (these plants did not proceed to genera tive growth even after a year of cultivation); this phenomenon was not observed earlier in either the genera Triticum L. or Aegilops L. Mono -, and digenic control of growth habit in Ae. squarrosa was revealed b y genetic analysis. Hybridization with the second dominant Vrn gene, f irst identified in this study, will stimulate the generation of recomb inant variants of common wheat that differ in length of vegetation per iod.