Genetic resources of wheat related species: The Vrn genes controlling growth habit (spring vs. winter)

Variations in growth habit and its genetic control in landraces of hexa-, tetra- and diploid wheats were studied. Studies demonstrated simple (one, two, or three genes) genetic control of growth habit (spring vs. winter). Triticum aestivum originated from only a part of the gene pools of the diploid species. Results show the feasibility of transferring new Vrn genes from the Sitopsis section of species of the Aegilops genus and the weak allele at the Vrn1 gene from T. dicoccum into cultivated species. The possibilities of introgressing new Vrn genes from diploid related species into cultivated wheats are considered. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.