In 30-ties 15 species of wheat were spread in Georgia. 8 species among them were the hulled wheats, namely: diploid Triticum monococcum L., cultivated einkorn wheat, tetraploid Tt: dicoccum (Shrank) Schuebl., cultivated emmer, Tr. timopheevii Zhuk (wheat of Timofeev), Zanduri; hexaploid Tt: macha Dek. et Men. Tt: zhukovskyi Men. et Er. (wheat of Jukovski), Tt: spelta L. spelt. There is some evidence that the wild einkom Tt: boeoticum was also spread in Georgia. Four hulled wheats Tt: p-colchicum, Tt: timopheevii, Tt: macha, and Tt: zhukovskyi are endemic species for Georgia. One ofthe varieties of Tt: monococcum -vat: hornemannii Clem. - was considered an endemic as it belonged to Zanduri population. Zanduri population consisted ofthree species: diploid Tt: monococcum, tetraploid Tt: Timopheevii and hexaploid T1: zhukovskyi. The first one was discovered by German naturalist Guldenshtedt as far back as in 18th century. Later, in 1932 P.M. Zhukovski described T1: timopheevii belonging to Zanduri population. In 1957 V.L. Menabde discovered the third species Tr. zhukovskyi. Thus, one population presents the polyploid range. In 1971 V.L. Menabde reported, that this range was originated in natural environment from the einkom wheat, with the genome formula AA, the next step was T1: timopheevii with genome AAAA=4A and further on T1: zhukovskyi with AAAAAA=6A. The process of auto-polyploidy is known in nature as the constituting factor of evolution and many wild and cultivated species and varieties were developed through it. Some information on the nature of these spe- cies. They are hulled i.e. semi-cultural species with the remarkable traits that are highly recommended for the introduction in varieties of cultivated naked wheat species. Tl: timopheevii-Chelta Zanduri is a unique species, possessing complex immunity to fungous diseases and pest-resistance. In addition, considering the grain quality, namely its protein content, Chelta Zanduri is a wheat variety, which can compete with other species, provided it has good yield and is easily thrashed. This is the task for the breeders as in our opinion the current methods of genetic engineering should be used in breeding of close-related species, ratherthan evolutionally distant ones. Any genus has wild ancestors, which are taxonomicallyand genetically close to the cultivated species and retain many advantageous genes for their improvement, for example genus of disease resistance. Immunity combined with high productivity characterize the most ecologically and economically valuable cultivated species. Tl: paleo- colchicum represents winter wheat species. Its spike bears as many as 36 spikelets in average. This trait is valuable for breeding of multi-spikelet variety of wheat. Another distinction of this species is good adaptation to humid climate and soils and high-protein content of grain ( 18,8%). TI: macha is one ofthe hexaploid hulled wheat species having good intraspecific diversity. In the past the species included 10-12 varieties that significantly differed in spike morphology and yield. It has high-quality, high protein content grain. T1: zhukovskyi is probably the youngest species in the genus of wheat. It is very close to T1: timopheevii in terms of morphology and immunity. However, its vegetation period is prolonged. This species was scarcely involvedin wheat breeding, despite the above mentioned promising characteristics. T1: monococcum is not endemic for Georgia, but it was widely represented in Georgian agriculture. Recent investigations (Muler, 2000) have shown some unique characteristics of the bread baked from this wheat. Especially important is the chemical content of the bread, having stimulating and concentrating effects on human nervous system. The bread baked from monococcum contains also a considerable amount of yellow pigments - carotenoids, which prevent bowel cancer. It has to be noted, that the bread baked from these hulled wheats was especially appreciated among the local population for its taste properties and may be also for its stimulating effect. These questions remain to be answered. Now the species of hulled wheats are unfairly overlooked and excluded from farming. In our opinion these wheats do not deserve such negligence. We hope they will still return to fields and not only in Georgia.

English

0407|AGRIS 0401|AL-Wheat Program

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection