THE ARTIFICIAL SYNTHESIS OF A 42-CHROMOSOME SPECIES RESEMBLING COMMON WHEAT

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Abstract
An attempt has been made to repeat the hypothetical events in the origin of common wheat. Triticum turgidum (n = 14), a species belonging to the emmer section of the genus, was crossed with Aegilops speltoides (n = 7), and doubling of the chromosomes in F1 was induced by the colchicine method. Four generations of the resulting amphidiploid have been raised. The new synthetic type has the chromosome number (n = 21) of the group of species to which bread-wheat (Triticum vulgare) belongs. It has most but not all of the distinguishing characteristics of the vulgare group and is fairly fertile. It crosses readily with natural T. vulgare; the hybrids are fertile, and the great majority of their chromosomes behave normally at meiosis. It is concluded that the vulgare section of the genus Triticum arose in prehistoric times through a similar series of events.

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