Wheat Evolution and Domestication

This open-access book covers a century of research on wheat genetics and evolution, including the discovery of the accurate number of chromosomes in 1918, morphology, ecogeographical distribution, phylogeny, cytogenetic and genomic features, evolution under human selection, and genome evolution and maintenance under polyploidization. It is of interest to wheat researchers, breeders, plant scientists, and students.

Format: Hardback
Length: 673 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive open-access book spans a century of groundbreaking research on wheat genetics and evolution, commencing with the pivotal discovery in 1918 of the precise number of chromosomes in wheat. In light of recent genomic data encompassing 31 species from the genera Amblyopyrum, Aegilops, Triticum, and other distant relatives, we undertake a re-evaluation of classical studies that serve as pillars of our current knowledge in the wheat group.

For these species, we provide detailed descriptions of their morphology, ecogeographical distribution, phylogeny, as well as cytogenetic and genomic features. Additionally, we delve into the evolution of crops under human selection, specifically focusing on pre-domestication cultivation and domestication. We re-examine the genetic and archeological evidence to determine the precise locations, times, and mechanisms of domestication.

Furthermore, we explore unique aspects of genome evolution and maintenance within polyploidization, both in natural and synthetic allopolyploids within the wheat group. Finally, we offer insightful perspectives on the future prospects of wheat improvement, making this book of immense interest to wheat researchers, breeders, plant scientists, and students specializing in plant genetics, evolution, domestication, and polyploidy.

Weight: 1934g
Dimension: 279 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031301742
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023