Production of haploid wheat through intergeneric crosses

Abstract

Frequencies of haploid production from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes were compared in the crosses with Hordeum bulbosum L. and with maize (Zea mays L.). All the wheat genotypes produced embryos when crossed with maize, only if followed by the application of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D). All plants regenerated from embryos on the B5 medium were euhaploids having a complement of 21 chromosomes. Overall frequencies of wheat haploid production were 0.2 % from the H. bulbosum cross, and 9.5 % from the maize cross. Use of the doubled haploid lines produced from F1 hybrid plants for genetic analyses allowed an assessment of the effects of the semi‐dwarfing genes Rht 1 and Rhi2 on yield performance.