Relationships among Agropyron, Dasypyrum and Lophopyrum (Triticeae: Poaceae) viewed from isoenzyme variation of esterase, peroxidase and acid phosphatase

Isoenzyme variation of esterase, peroxidase and acid phosphatase was examined in individual plants from natural populations of A. cristatum, D. villosum and L. elongatum. Four indices of phenotypic similarity (SI, S, D, Ih) were calculated in an attempt to assess relationships among the taxa studied. All indices have their lowest estimates in the comparison between L. elongatum and D. villosum. This is an indication that both species are most distantly related as judged by the enzymes surveyed. Although slightly higher, the values of SI, S and Ih show that D. villosum and A. cristatum are also positioned remotely. Dasypyrum. villosum possessed the highest number of diagnostic isoforms, which is an additional indicator of its distinctness within the studied group. The species A. cristatum and L. elongatum demonstrate a higher level of affinity as estimated by all indices used. The proposed relationships among Agropyron, Dasypyrum and Lophopyrum are compared with conclusions derived from morphological and molecular data available.