Project Detail

Allopolyploid origin and hybridization in allohexaploid grass Elytrigia intermedia (Poaceae, Triticeae)

Name:	Allopolyploid origin and hybridization in allohexaploid grass Elytrigia intermedia (Poaceae, Triticeae)
Researchers:	Mahelka Václav (researcher)
Provider:	GAČR
Number:	GP206/09/P312
Realization from:	2009
Realization to:	2011
Summary:	The tribe Triticeae (family Poaceae) is an excellent example for reticulate evolution, which is caused by a combination of ancient hybridization, introgression, recurrent hybridization and multiple origin of particular taxa. Proven recurrent hybridizations have caused surprisingly complex genomic histories of respective taxa and might have, at least in part, promoted their adaptation to a diverse array of ecological conditions. This project will focus on the genomic history of allopolyploid wheatgrass Elytrigia intermedia from its native area in Central and in parts of SE Europe. The main objective of the study is to find out genomic composition of E. intermedia and to reveal past hybridization events of this species with other grasses. Plants from diverse habitat types will be analyzed using the granule-bound starch synthase (GBSSI) single-copy gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Additionally, the maternal origin will be identified in all plants to find out whether it is uniform across the study area and ecologically diverse habitats.