Standard karyotype of Triticum longissimum and its cytogenetic relationship with T. aestivum.

C-banding polymorphism was analyzed in 17 accessions of Triticum longissimum from Israel and Jordan, and a generalized idiogram of this species was established. C-banding analysis was further used to identify two sets of disomic T. aestivum - T. longissimum chromosome addition lines and 13 ditelosomic addition lines and one monotelosomic (6S1L) addition line. C-banding was also used to identify T. aestivum - T. longissimum chromosome substitution and translocation lines. Two major nucleolus organizing regions (NORs) on 5S1 and 6S1 and one minor NOR on 1S1 were detected by in situ hybridization using a 18S-26S rDNA probe. Sporophytic and gametophytic compensation tests were used to determine the homoeologous relationships of T. longissimum chromosomes. The T. longissimum chromosomes compensate rather well and fertility was restored even in substitution lines involving wheat chromosomes 2A, 4B, and 6B that contain major fertility genes. Except for the deleterious gametocidal genes, T. longissimum can be considered as a suitable donor of useful genes for wheat improvement.