Characterization of Aegilops kotschyi Boiss. x Triticum aestivum L. hybrid lines
A study of four F5 and one BC1F1 <em>Aegilops kotschyi </em>Boiss. x <em>Triticum aestivum </em>L. hybrid lines was conducted to determine their quantitative morphological and qualitative features as well as a molecular investigation was carried out. Observations of ten quantitative traits showed that the F5 hybrid lines exhibited intermediate values between <em>Ae. kotschyi </em>Boiss. and <em>T. aestivum </em>L., or had similar traits to one of the parents. These hybrid lines had a significantly lower number and weight of grains per main spike, main spike fertility and 1000-grain weight than <em>T. aestivum </em>L. cv. ‘Rusałka’. The BC1F1 hybrid line was characterized by wheat-like fertility and phenotype. The F5 hybrid lines were characterized by much higher variability of the analysed morphological traits than <em>T. aestivum </em>L. cv. ‘Rusałka’. Grains of the hybrid lines had higher protein and micronutrient (iron and zinc) content than wheat grains. The presence of DNA fragments specific to <em>Ae. kotschyi </em>Boiss. in the genotypes of the hybrid lines was confirmed by seven ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) molecular markers. Two ISSR markers – ISSR23690 and ISSR33650 – were the most effective for germplasm analysis of the hybrid lines. The analysed lines can become a source material for improvement of common wheat <em>T. aestivum </em>L. in crossing programs.