Studies on Cytological Characteristics of Elymus humidus as Genetic Resources Compared to Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify and compare the characteristics of Elymus humidus on common wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Chinse Spring, CS). The seed length, width, height, and weight of E. humidus were smaller than those of the CS. In particular, the germination rate of E. humidus was substantially lower than that of CS. In the anatomical dissection of the leaf, E. humidus showed a considerably different xylem diameter of the main vascular bundle in the main vein; however, there was no difference in the phloem of the main vascular bundle compared with the xylem and phloem of the main vascular bundle in the main vein of CS, although E. humidus showed a leaf structure similar to that of CS. In addition, E. humidus had a thinner epidermis than that of CS. Regarding stomatal traits, E. humidus showed a graminoid stomata type similar to that of CS. On the adaxial and abaxial sides, the density, length, and width of the stomata in E. humidus were smaller than those in CS, whereas the distance between stomata in E. humidus was greater than that in CS. The chromosomes of E. humidus were classified as long and short based on their respective lengths. Long chromosomes were classified based on the ratio of the long arm to the short arm e.g., 1:1 or 2:1. Short chromosomes showed the same trend and some short chromosomes were microsatellites. To evaluate genetic diversity, 38 barley EST markers with polymorphisms between E. humidus and CS were selected from 236 barley EST markers.