Induced mutations and their genetic aspects in wheat (Triticum aestivum vulgare)

The hexaploid nature of common wheat (Triticum aestivum vulgare) and triplication of the genes allow a great number of primary induced changes to be present and maintained through generations. Induced mutations have been obtained in the morphological characters of the wheat spike, grain character, plant height, disease resistance, and in many other quantitative characters. In some of our experiments these have been followed through 25 generations. The genetic aspects of these changes, their effect on the micro-evolutionary processes in the populations, and their applicability in plant breeding are discussed. (author). 56 refs