Abstract
The diminution of the morphological variation among the new wheat varieties owing to narrow genetic base makes it essential for the development of rapid and reliable methods for genetic purity maintenance during seed production, as well as for plant variety protection, seed certification, quality control and consumer protection. In the present study, attempts were made to distinguish and identify eighteen of wheat genotypes grown in Libya through chemical tests. The seeds were subjected to phenol, two modified phenol, Ninhydrin, NaOH and KOH tests. Based on the colour reaction of different genotypes. Varietal keys were developed for distinguishing the eighteen varieties. All the six chemical tests categorized the varieties from three to seven classes based on their colour reaction. Although, no single chemical test could distinguish all the varieties, but in combination the six chemical tests identified all the eighteen wheat genotypes individually. Therefore, these simple and rapid tests could be employed for varietal identification in most of cereal crops.