Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 234-243 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/tgg 236 selection of wheat varieties with desirable traits. Early Neolithic farmers in regions like the Plain of Troyes in Champagne introduced staple crops such as emmer and einkorn, which were well-suited to the local conditions (Toulemonde et al., 2020). The resilience of pioneer crops, including bread wheat and naked barley, in high-altitude regions like the Central Tien Shan mountains, further underscores the adaptability of early domesticated wheat to various environmental stresses (Matuzevičiūtė et al., 2022). These conditions facilitated the development of unique landraces and the successful establishment of agriculture in diverse ecological niches. The early domestication of wheat was a complex process influenced by genetic evolution, archaeobotanical evidence, and environmental conditions (Bohra et al., 2022). The Fertile Crescent served as the cradle of wheat domestication, with significant contributions from regions like Southeast Anatolia and the northern Levant. The adaptability of wheat to different climates and environments ensured its global spread and enduring significance in human agriculture. 3 Spread of Wheat Cultivation 3.1 Wheat’s diffusion into europe and asia The diffusion of wheat from its origin in the Fertile Crescent into Europe and Asia was a complex process influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions, trade routes, and social interactions. In Europe, the spread of wheat cultivation is closely linked with the broader Neolithic agricultural expansion. For instance, the introduction of broomcorn millet in Europe during the 2nd millennium BC marked a significant agricultural transformation, with wheat and barley being the primary crops before millet's introduction (Filipović et al., 2020). This period saw major societal and economic changes, particularly during the Bronze Age. In Central Asia, the earliest evidence of southwest Asian grain crops, including wheat, dates back to the mid-third millennium BCE. Archaeobotanical remains from the Chap II site in Kyrgyzstan indicate that wheat, along with barley, was cultivated at high altitudes, suggesting an adaptation to local environmental conditions (Matuzevičiūtė et al., 2020). This early cultivation in Central Asia highlights the eastward spread of agricultural technologies and the dynamic interaction networks between highland and lowland farming societies. 3.2 Adaptation to local climates Wheat's ability to adapt to diverse climatic conditions played a crucial role in its widespread cultivation. In northern China, the introduction of wheat and barley during the Neolithic period led to significant changes in the subsistence economy. Stable isotope analysis of human skeletal remains reveals a shift from a millet-based diet to a mixed diet that included wheat and barley around 4 500~4 000 BP, coinciding with a global climatic event (Cheung et al., 2019). This adaptation to local climates was further evidenced by the distinct cultivation strategies employed on the Loess Plateau, where ancient farmers used novel soil and water management techniques for wheat, contrasting with the pre-existing practices for barley (Li et al., 2022). In the Gansu-Qinghai region of northwest China, the spatiotemporal distribution of wheat and barley during the Late Neolithic and Bronze Age was influenced by geographical factors such as proximity to rivers and suitable climatic conditions. Wheat sites were generally located at lower elevations and closer to water sources compared to barley sites, reflecting wheat's specific environmental requirements (Ma et al., 2022). 3.3 The role of trade and social networks Trade and social networks were instrumental in the spread of wheat cultivation across different regions. The introduction of wheat into central China, for example, is thought to have resulted from interactions between China and Central Asia during the 3rd millennium BC. However, the role of wheat in subsistence farming in central China remained minimal until the later Bronze Age, suggesting a gradual integration facilitated by trade and cultural exchanges (Deng et al., 2019). In southeastern Shandong Province, China, direct evidence of early bread wheat dating to 2 460~2 210 BC suggests multiple possible routes for wheat transmission, including the Eurasian Steppe route and potential ocean
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