Vavilov’s law of homologous series at the fiftieth anniversary of its formulation

Abstract

The law of homologous series was formulated by N. I. Vavilov in 1920. TheJournal of Genetics published Vavilov’s paper in 1922. This law established a parallel variability of homologous characters in taxonomically near species. Now it must be extended, including also a parallel variability of similar homologous characters in taxonomically remote species. Each similarity among biologic species is a cause of homologous parallel variability in corresponding characters. Vavilov showed that a variability of intraspecific genes is controlled by the genotype of species. This genotype is composed of stable species radical (interspecific genes) and of labile intraspecific genes. Vavilov’s basic concept of homologous variability retains its viability. The law of homologous series is one of the fundamental laws of genetics.