Patterns of trait variation in the diploid wheats (Triticum,Aegilops) and the tetraploid speciesTriticum diccocoides

Eighteen earliness and morphological traits were examined in from 2 to 14 lines each of 10 diploid members of the wheat complex,Triticum-Aegilops, and 15 lines of the tetraploid speciesTriticum diccocoides. In general, earliness traits have the greatest relative between line vs. within line variation of all the traits examined. Within species, earliness traits are the principle set of characters around which evolve between line trait differences, one of the most important oich is leaf dimensions. At the genus level, earliness traits are independent of leaf dimensions and plant height characters. Thus, the pattern of evolution at the genus level is different from that exhibited in each of the species. Biological and evolutionary implications of these findings are discussed.