RFLP AND PCR ANALYSES AT GLI-1, GLI-2, GLU-1 AND GLU-3 LOCI IN CULTIVATED AND WILD WHEATS

RFLP and PCR analyses at the Gli-1, Gli-2 Glu-1 and Glu-3 loci have been carried out in Aegilops L. and Triticum L. species. High level of polymorphism was found by RFLP analyses both between Aegilops species and Triticum species, and between durum wheat cultivars, whereas PCR analyses of the coding region of the same genotypes showed a different degree of variation between the analyzed loci. Gamma gliadin amplified products revealed a moderate level of polymorphism between Aegilops and Triticum species, and showed the possibility of distinguishing durum wheat cultivars with good and poor technological properties. PCR products of alpha/beta gliadins and low (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) glutenins showed a low degree of variation between Aegilops and Triticum species. Finally, RFLP analysis at the Gli-2 locus of Aegilops species has shown that it is possible to differentiate the Ae. squarrosa subsp. strangulata from the Ae. squarrosa subsp. squarrosa, and suggests introgression from Ae. longissima or Ae. searsii into tetraploid and hexaploid Ae. crassa, Ae. juvenalis, and Ae. vavilovii.