Wheat Evolution and Domestication

This open access book covers a century of research on wheat genetics and evolution, starting with the discovery in 1918 of the accurate number of chromosomes in wheat. We re-evaluate classical studies that are pillars of the current knowledge considering recent genomic data in the wheat group comprising 31 species from the genera Amblyopyrum, Aegilops, Triticum, and other more distant relatives. For these species, we describe morphology, ecogeographical distribution, phylogeny as well as cytogenetic and genomic features. For crops, we also address evolution under human selection, namely pre-domestication cultivation and domestication. We re-examine the genetic and archeological evidence of where, when, and how domestication occurred. We discuss unique aspects of genome evolution and maintenance under polyploidization, in natural and synthetic allopolyploids of the wheat group. Finally, we propose some thoughts on the future prospects of wheat improvement. As such, it can be of great interest to wheat researchers and breeders as well as to plant scientists and students interested in plant genetics, evolution, domestication, and polyploidy.

Prof. Feldman's research deals with cytogenetic, genomic, and evolutionary aspects of wheat and its wild relatives. His studies comprise mechanisms that increase genetic variability in species of the wheat group; nature of genes that control meiotic pairing in wheat and wheat hybrids; genetic and epigenetic changes that are induced by chromosome doubling facilitating successful establishment in nature of the newly-formed polyploids. Applied aspects of Feldman's work contributed to development of methods for the exploitation of wild gene resources for wheat improvement. During his field research, Feldman discovered and described a new species of wild wheat and named it after his mentor, the innovative wheat geneticist Earnie Sears. Feldman served as head of the Plant Genetic Department and the Wheat Center of the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Prof. Levy's research deals with the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that are responsible for biodiversity and evolution in the plant kingdom. This includes research on hybridization and genome doubling, DNA recombination, DNA repair, transposable elements and genome stability. He is interested in utilizing these mechanisms to develop sustainable food production systems. He harnesses and develops advanced genetic manipulation technologies of genome editing to modify plant features in a precise manner through targeted mutagenesis, targeted recombination and gene targeting. Prof. Levy is a member of the Plant and environmental sciences department at the Weizmann Institute and served as dean of the Faculty of Biochemistry until the end of 2022