Hydroxamic acid content of triticum species

Summary Fifty-five accessions of Triticum species were analyzed for content of hydroxamic acids (Hx), a natural resistance factor against various organisms. Hx were found in all accessions analyzed. Extreme values were found in wild diploid species: highest in T. speltoides (16.0 mmol/kg fr. wt) and lowest in T. tauschii (0.21). Modern polyploid wheats sharing the same genome did not show substantial variations in Hx levels. The data suggest possible sources of high Hx levels for wheat breeding programs.