CHROMOSOME ENGINEERING IN TETRAPLOID WHEAT

The progress in genetic research of tetraploid wheats has been limited by a lack of suitable cytogenetic stocks similar to those available i n hexaploid wheat. Also, the tetraploid wheats, as a group, have recei ved less attention from scientists, because they are grown on a small part of the world's total wheat production area and have limited use i n the production of bread products. However, one of the varieties Trit icum turgidum L. var. durum, is widely used in the production of pasta products such as spaghetti and macaroni. Therefore, investigations ha ve centered on the production of several sets of aneuploid genetic sto cks in durum wheat and on the development of methods for their use. Th e aneuploid stocks of the durum cultivar Langdon include double-ditelo somics, dimonotelosomics, D-genome disomic substitutions, intercultiva r chromosome substitution lines, and homozygous recombinant lines. The knowledge obtained during the development of these aneuploids has sug gested methods for their use. Some examples of useful studies are desc ribed.