Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

The tribe Triticeae (in Poaceae, the grass family) contains some of the economically most important crop species in the world such as wheat, barley and rye, as well as several more or less locally important forage crops, especially in Asia and North America. The wild species of the tribe constitutes an underutilized genetic resource for crop improvement through selection and breeding. Species within the tribe could potentially be used directly as forage crops, after initial selection from wild material, or as a resource in future forage or crop improvement. In South America, the two major genera of Triticeae are Hordeum and Elymus. Hordeum has been well collected in South America and the taxonomy and phylogeny have been studied, but there is less knowledge about Elymus from this continent and far less material has been collected. Fundamental knowledge of taxonomy, nomenclature, phylogeny, genetic variation, population structures and gene flow needs to be investigated. Further information about the ecology, agricultural qualities and nutritional content is needed for optimal utilization and conservation. This paper gives an overview of the characteristics of Triticeae in general, and Elymus in South America in particular. The purpose is to map the state of knowledge and identify gaps for future research.