Introgression of salt-tolerance genes from Thinopyrum bessarabicum into wheat

Abstract

Salt-affected soil is a major problem and has led to large areas of the earth's surface being unable to support agriculture. Wheat is not tolerant to high levels of salt; however, a number of its wild relatives, in particular Thinopyrum bessarabicum Savul. and Rayss, which grows on the Black Sea shore in the Crimea, are tolerant to high levels of NaCl. Thus the introgression of genes conferring salt tolerance from Th. bessarabicum into Triticum aestivum is one way in which salt-tolerant wheat varieties can be produced. This paper reviews the progress made in developing salt-tolerant wheat carrying Th. bessarabicum genes and salt-tolerant wheat/Th. bessarabicum amphiploids.