Molecular aids for integration of alien chromatin through wide crosses

Wide crosses in wheat have now been performed for over 100 years. In that time, approximately 100 genes have been transferred for numerous traits, including biotic and abiotic stresses and value-added traits. Resistance genes from alien sources do become defeated with time, so the search for additional variability must continue. Recent screening of alien species has identified accessions with multiple pest resistance plus combinations of pest resistance and value-added traits. The majority of existing induced recombinants are of a noncompensating type with considerable linkage drag, so sequential useage of Ph mutants is recommended to produce smaller interstitial recombinants. Molecular methods, including GISH, RAPD, RFLP, AFLP, and microsatellites, are being widely used to identify integrated alien chromosomes, chromosome segments, and genes.