Journal of Applied Genetics 43(4), 2002, pp. 415-422

Hybrids and amphiploids of Aegilops ovata L. with Secale cereale L.: production, morphology and fertility

Barbara WOJCIECHOWSKA, Hanna PUDELSKA

Abstract: Hybrids between Aegilops kotschyi and Ae. biuncialis with Secale cereale were synthesized. Five Ae. kotschyi and four Ae. biuncialis accessions, as well as one inbred and four self-compatible forms of Secale cereale were used for crossing. The hybrids were produced directly from cultured embryos or through embryo callus culture. Sixty hybrids, 11 involving Ae. kotschyi and 49 Ae. biuncialis, had a stable somatic chromosome number 2n = 3x = 21. The plants showed good vegetative vigour and tillering capacity. Morphologically the hybrids were intermediate between their parents and completely sterile. In vitro propagation of Ae. kotschyi and Ae. biuncialis × S. cereale hybrids revealed that their capacity for callus production and plantlet regeneration – varies.

Key words: Aegilops biuncialis, Aegilops kotschyi, callus culture, embryo culture, intergeneric hybrids, Secale cereale

Correspondence: B. WOJCIECHOWSKA, Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Strzeszynska 34, 60-479 Poznan, Poland, e-mail: bwoj@igr.poznan.pl