viibinations along chromosomes remain obscure, making some chromosome regions
inaccessible to recombination. Little is known about the changes in genome struc-
ture and epigenetic changes induced by interspecifi c hybridization, and almost
nothing is known on the function of introgressed genes and how the alien genes and
wheat genome interact.
This book provides an overview of the major results achieved in the fi eld of alien
gene introgression into wheat. Separate chapters are devoted to introgressions origi-
nating from various genera of the Triticeae tribe, including Triticum, Aegilops,
Thinopyrum and other perennial genera, as well as Hordeum and Secale. The book
includes an introduction to the taxonomy of the Triticeae tribe, while other chapters
discuss the evolution of wheat and related Triticeae species, as well as the current
tasks facing wheat breeders. A detailed description is given of crossability genes, of
genes controlling homoeologous pairing, and of gametocidal genes, while the last
chapter outlines the potential of genomics to facilitate the alien introgression
breeding of wheat.
We hope that this book will stimulate more intensive characterization of the
genetic diversity of wild wheat relatives, their genome structure and their exploita-
tion in wheat breeding. Wild wheat relatives and related cultivated species represent
a so far poorly explored treasure trove of genes and alleles for wheat breeding. The
methods developed and knowledge gained in the past, together with new molecular
genetics and genomics techniques, should make the exploitation of wheat relatives
more effi cient and the breeding of improved wheat cultivars with novel traits a
realistic goal.
Martonvásár, Hungary Márta Molnár-Láng
Viterbo, Italy Carla Ceoloni
Olomouc, Czech Republic Jaroslav Doležel
July 2015
Preface