Applications of genetic markers in cytogenetic manipulation of the wheat genomes

Abstract
A molecular map of wheat, Triticum aestivum, is being developed. Problems associated with the large genome size, the large number of linkage groups, polyploidy, and limited polymorphism at the DNA level are being overcome. In addition to the breeding applications expected from the map, various uses for restriction fragment length polymorphism markers as tools in cytogenetic manipulation of wheat chromosomes and those from related species are being found. These include identification of aneuploid genotypes, added precision in intervarietal chromosome manipulations, tests of chromosome stability, identification of alien chromosomes, and marker-aided introgression of genes of agronomic importance from related species.Key words: wheat, restriction fragment length polymorphism, genetic maps, aneuploidy, alien chromosomes.