GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF ANCIENT CHARRED WHEAT FROM THE KAYMAKÇI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

Date

2023-8-09

Author

Tunçer, Göksu

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Wheat is one of the world's most essential crops, and understanding its evolutionary history is critical for improving its yield and nutritional quality. In this study, ancient DNA (aDNA) from wheat remains from Kaymakçı archaeological site, Manisa, Türkiye, was analyzed and compared to modern wheat varieties to investigate the effects of domestication on evolution of wheat. The 26s rDNA and ITS2 (Internal Transcribed Spacer) regions were used to make molecular identification of the 3,500 years old charred wheat seeds, while IGS (Intergenic Spacer) region was used to determine the genome type of the charred wheat seeds. These DNA barcodes revealed previously undetermined Triticum aestivum/durum ancient wheat seeds were T. aestivum. High Molecular Weight (HMW) subunits of wheat glutenin genes were investigated in this study since these genes are essential determinants of flour quality, and understanding their evolution is important for future improvement programs.. Results of this study revealed that the HMW subunits of wheat glutenin genes in ancient samples were highly conserved and that the genetic diversity of these genes has been preserved over thousands of years. These findings underscore the potential of aDNA research in elucidating the genetic history of wheat in Türkiye.

Subject Keywords

wheat, ancient DNA, agriculture, archaeobotany, plant evolution

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/105082

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Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis