Genetic diversity in Spanish populations of Triticum spelta L. (escanda): example of an endangered genetic resource

Asturias is a region of North of Spain where the cultivation of the escanda (Triticum spelta L.) is maintained since the antiquity with traditional systems. Twenty-six spelt populations collected during the summer of 2004 in this Spanish region were analysed for spikes morphology and high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMWGs) composition. Spikes of each population were characterised by ten qualitative traits based in the UPOV's descriptors, which has permitted to detect five botanical varieties together with two plant groups not previously described. The loss of two botanical varieties described in old works on this crop in this zone has been observed. The inter- and intra-population distribution of these spike characters and HMWGs alleles were investigated. The results show that the genetic variation is mainly present within populations, being the variation among populations only 17.6%, which could be due to exchange of material among the farmers. All data suggest the urgent necessity to establish a conservation system (both ex situ and on farm) with the purpose of safeguard of genetic diversity of this crop.