Hybrids between wheats and perennialLeymusandThinopyrumspecies

Hexaploid and tetraploid wheats were pollinated by the wild perennial wheat relatives Leymus arenarius, L. mollis, L. racemosus and Thinopyrum junceiforme. Hybrids were obtained from all attempted cross combinations, two of which are reported here for the first time. They are tall and perennial and have the expected chromosome numbers. Strategies for the future use of these hybrids in wheat improvement are discussed and outlined.