Use of Italian wheat varieties in China

Summary Italian wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum L.) have played an important role in Chinese wheat production and improvement, especially in the 1950's to 1970's. In the history of wheat introduction in China, three series of Italian germplasms making great impact on the development of wheat production and improvement are recognized. This paper describes the brief history of introduction of Italian varieties into China and the detailed use of them for wheat production and wheat improvement in China.