Analysis of the genetic diversity of wild Spanish populations of the genusHordeum through the study of their endosperm proteins

A study was made of the genetic variability of 101 barley populations belon ging to the four, wild, Spanish species of the genus Hordeum (the autogamou s H. marinum subspp. marinum and gussoneanum, and H. murinum subspp. murinu m and leporinum, plus the allogamous species H. bulbosum and H. secalinum). Electrophoresis of endosperm proteins was performed using a large number o f individuals from each population sampled, in order to determine intra- an d interpopulational variation. The distribution of variability observed by population and taxonomic unit, is closely related to the breeding system. H ordeum bulbosum showed the greatest intrapopulational variability and H, ma rinum subsp. gussoneanum the least. In contrast to the autogamous species, the allogamous species showed low levels of interpopulational variation.