Khorasan Wheat - Taxonomy

Taxonomy

Original botanical identifications were uncertain. The variety is a form of Triticum turanicum (also known as T. turgidum subsp. turanicum), Khorasan wheat. Identifications sometimes seen as T. polonicum are incorrect as the variety, although long-grained, lacks the long glumes of this species. Recent genetic evidence from DNA fingerprinting suggests that the variety is perhaps derived from a natural hybrid between T. durum and T. polonicum, which would explain past difficulties in arriving at a certain classification. The variety is lower yielding, with typical yields of 1.0–1.3 tonnes per hectare (15–19 bu/ac) and is more susceptible to disease and mould from moisture than modern wheat varieties as it has not been bred to improve its agronomic characteristics.