Genetic studies on .ALPHA.-amylase isozymes in wheat. III. Intraspecific variation in Aegilops squarrosa and birthplace of hexaploid wheat.

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Abstract
Strains (57) of KUSE (Kyoto University Scientific Expedition to The Karakoram and Hindukush) collection and 3 laboratory strains of A. squarrosa were examined with respect to .alpha.-amylase isozymes of germinating seed. Seven zymogram patterns were identified, each of which consisted of a few isozyme bands most probably specified by the genes on chromosome 6D and only one by the gene on chromosome 7D. Among varieties of A. squarrosa, typica was the most variable, followed by strangulata. Variation in .alpha.-amylase isozymes, as in the other various characters, was most concentrated in the region of Gorgan [Afghanistan], and, in decreasing order, Pahlavi, Tabriz and Tehran [Iran]. No variation was observed in the other regions. Comparison of the zymograms of tetra- and hexaploid wheat showed a particular zymogram pattern of .alpha.-amylase, Ams 3, the one expected in the D genome donor to hexaploid wheat. Ams 3 located mostly in the region of Gorgan, extending westward along the south coast of the Caspian sea up to Derbent, Caucasus. The birthplace of hexaploid wheat should be extended to the southeast coastland of the Caspian sea from the area including the southwest Caspian coast region and Transcaucasus. The independent origin of ssp. macha, as suggested by the variant zymogram pattern, is discussed.