Abstract only

The preservation and sustainable utilization of germplasm of the local varieties of wheat and their wild relatives is of great importance for Armenia, where a number of related national and international programs were and are implemented. Until1950 only local varieties of wheat were cultivated in Armenia. The number of these cultivars made about 20. Some of them have been developed as a result of environmental pressure and farmer selection in the local communities. Alllocal varieties belong to different speciesof wheat, of them only wild wheat (Triticum dicoccum /Schrank/ Schuebler) has remained in production. Because oflow yield, all these varieties have been discarded, although many of them could serve as a good pre- breeding material, as they are known for their tolerance to water stresses, winter hardiness and resistance to diseases. Being one of the Minor Asian centers of the origin of cultural plants, Armenia is one of the countries on which territory wild relatives of grain crops are still present. Due to a number of reasons, such as urbanization endangering natural habitats ofwild plants, human economic activity, as well as genetic erosion resulted from the replacement of old varieties with new ones, the gene pool of wild cereals in Armenia is being dramatically reduced. In this connection, a thorough study of their specific and intraspecific diversity with the aim of their preservation both ex situ and in situ is acquiring a special significance. Primary objectives of our research include: studying the specific and intraspecific composition of Armenian wild wheats, the collection and specification of their taxonomic belonging, the replenishment of a collection of germplasm, observation and monitorÍng of populations within their natural habitats, selection of interesting for practical purposes forms, their utilization in the process of hybridization for developing high-quality cereal accessions (as germplasm). It is noteworthy that 13 species and over 360 varieties of domesticated and wild wheats have been discovered on the territory of Armenia. Notwithstanding a number of papers dedicated to wheat research, their actual diversity within natural habitats has not been finally established. Moreover, a whole number of forms, even populations, has been endangered with complete disappearance. Hence, there is a need to preserve their existing diversity both in collections and natural habitats. Papers on the utilization of the wild wheats in breeding in Armenia are just few. Already in the 30s the well-known scientists, academician N. Vavilov called Armenia "as one of the world centers of cultural plants" and "the most interesting place" in terms of the habitat of wild wheats. For this purpose, he considered it necessary that "plots for wild wheat and rye, whose cradle is Armenia, were to be allocated". This behest of Vavilov materialized in 1981, when the Erebuni preserve was established. There are many preserves in the world, but the Erebuni preserve of wild wheats by its designation, i.e. the preservation of wild wheat varieties and other grain crops, is the only one globally. Out of the presently known fourwild species of wheat, three species (Triticum urartu Thum. ex Gandil. Tararaticum Jakubz, Tboeoticum Boiss.) are being grown on the territory of this protected area. The preserve should playa significant role in rational utilization and preservation of species of the wild nature ecosystems in Armenia. Through study and preserving wild wheats, by enriching their gene pool, the preservation ofliving monuments, the predecessors of wild wheat is being carried out. The protection of wild wheats' gene pool is necessary for implementing breeding programs. Under conditions of highly increased requirements to the adaptability of newly developed plant varieties and hybrids, the more efficient utilization of the gene pool of wild wheat species becomes not only expedient but also very requisite. Wild wheats, being highly heterozygous, provide for better adaptability to external factors. Their use in selection as a parental material will make it possible to develop new forms with a wider adaptive basis capable of active metabolic transformation under extreme and diverse factors ofthe environment. As a result ofthe studies with the employment ofwild wheats' germplasm in breeding improved variants for adaptability and resistance carried out in the Gene Pool Laboratory of the Armenian Agricultural Academy, new varieties and promising lines of hulled wheat, durum and bread wheat have been developed. Aiso developed have been numerous intergeneric and interspecific hybrids serving as an intermediary breeding material and constituting a reliable basis for the conduct of further researches directed at utilizing wild wheats in selection processes.

English

0408|AGRIS 0401|AL-Wheat Program

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection