Aegilops tauschii

Aegilops tauschii ARS-1

Aegilops tauschii, also known as Tausch's goatgrass or rough-spike hard grass, is a species of grass in the Poaceae family. It is native to Western Asia and Eastern Europe, and it is an important wild relative of wheat.

Taxonomy

Aegilops tauschii belongs to the genus Aegilops, which is closely related to the genus Triticum, the genus that includes common wheat (Triticum aestivum). The species was first described by Carl Friedrich von Ledebour in 1830.

Description

Aegilops tauschii is an annual plant that typically grows to a height of 30-70 cm. The leaves are linear and can be up to 20 cm long. The inflorescence is a spike, which is composed of several spikelets. Each spikelet contains 2-5 florets. The glumes are rough and the lemmas are awned.

Distribution and Habitat

Aegilops tauschii is found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, scrublands, and cultivated fields. It is native to regions spanning from Turkey and the Caucasus to Central Asia and Pakistan. The species has also been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America.

Genetic Importance

Aegilops tauschii is of significant genetic importance due to its role in the evolution of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). The species contributed the D genome to the hexaploid bread wheat, which is a combination of the genomes from three different species: Triticum urartu (A genome), an unknown Aegilops species (B genome), and Aegilops tauschii (D genome). This genetic contribution has provided bread wheat with various beneficial traits, including disease resistance and stress tolerance.

Uses

While Aegilops tauschii itself is not cultivated for food, its genetic material is used in plant breeding programs to improve the resilience and yield of cultivated wheat varieties. Researchers utilize the genetic diversity of Aegilops tauschii to introduce new traits into wheat, such as improved drought tolerance and pest resistance.

Conservation

The conservation of Aegilops tauschii is important for maintaining the genetic diversity necessary for future wheat breeding efforts. Efforts are being made to preserve its natural habitats and to collect and store its seeds in gene banks.

See also

• Aegilops
• Triticum
• Wheat
• Plant breeding
• Genetic diversity