Molecular characterization of the genetic integrity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm after long-term maintenance

The genetic identity of eight wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) accessions maint ained in the Gatersleben genebank and regenerated up to 24 times was studie d by using wheat microsatellite markers (WMS). It was demonstrated that WMS can be used to analyze bulks of seeds stored more than 50 years in a seed reference collection at room temperature. No contamination due to foreign p ollen or incorrect handling during the multiplication cycles was discovered . For one accession (TRI 4599) genetic drift was observed, whereas for TRI 249 a heterogenous situation for two markers was maintained over the years. We were able to show that microsatellites can be used as a simple and reli able marker system for the verification of the integrity and genetic stabil ity of genebank accessions.