Translocations are structural chromosomal rearrangements which involve segments with different length belonging to homologous or non homologous chromosomes. Either natural or induced occurrence of translocations have been enabled an improvement in the plant breeding, when these translocated segments carry resistance genes to biotic and abiotic stress. Rye is a grass largely used to transfer genes to wheat such as resistance genes to leaf rust, stem rust and genes that support the wheat yield, either in grain quantity or in quality. Thus, the aim of this paper was to review the main translocations involving wheat and rye, which demonstrated, from the data analyzed, that translocations involving chromosomes 1 and 2 were more advantageous for grain yield in wheat and that the others were important, especially, in the transfer of resistance genes. Therefore, this strategy has demonstrated effectiveness on search for new genes that favor the cultivation of wheat and its use has grown greatly in recent years.
Triticum aestivum; Secale cereale; chromosomal rearrangements
