Allelic interaction of F1 pollen sterility loci and abnormal chromosome behaviour caused pollen sterility in intersubspecific autotetraploid rice hybrids

The intersubspecific hybrids of autotetraploid rice has many features that increase rice yield, but lower seed set is a major hindrance in its utilization. Pollen sterility is one of the most important factors which cause intersubspecific hybrid sterility. The hybrids with greater variation in seed set were used to study how the F(1) pollen sterile loci (S-a, S-b, and S-c) interact with each other and how abnormal chromosome behaviour and allelic interaction of F(1) sterility loci affect pollen fertility and seed set of intersubspecific autotetraploid rice hybrids. The results showed that interaction between pollen sterility loci have significant effects on the pollen fertility of autotetraploid hybrids, and pollen fertility further decreased with an increase in the allelic interaction of F(1) pollen sterility loci. Abnormal ultra-structure and microtubule distribution patterns during pollen mother cell (PMC) meiosis were found in the hybrids with low pollen fertility in interphase and leptotene, suggesting that the effect-time of pollen sterility loci interaction was very early. There were highly significant differences in the number of quadrivalents and bivalents, and in chromosome configuration among all the hybrids, and quadrivalents decreased with an increase in the seed set of autotetraploid hybrids. Many different kinds of chromosomal abnormalities, such as chromosome straggling, chromosome lagging, asynchrony of chromosome disjunction, and tri-fission were found during the various developmental stages of PMC meiosis. All these abnormalities were significantly higher in sterile hybrids than in fertile hybrids, suggesting that pollen sterility gene interactions tend to increase the chromosomal abnormalities which cause the partial abortion of male gametes and leads to the decline in the seed set of the autotetraploid rice hybrids.     

A comparative cytogenetic study of the rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) autotetraploid restorers and hybrids

We studied pollen fertility, seed set and cytogenetic characteristics of restorer lines and F1 hybrids of autotetraploid rice. T4002, T4063, T461A × T4002 and T461A × T4063 showed significantly higher pollen fertility and seed set than T4132 and T461A × T4132. Meiotic pairing configurations of T4002, T4063, T4132, T461A × T4002, T461A × T4063 and T461A × T4132 were 0.05 I + 19.96 II (9.89 rod + 10.07 ring) + 0.01 III + 2.00 IV, 0.11 I + 19.17 II (8.90 rod + 10.37 ring) + 0.09 III + 2.26 IV + 0.01 VI, 1.34 I + 9.46 II (4.50 rod + 4.96 ring) + 0.80 III + 6.02 IV + 0.09 VI + 0.09 VIII, 0.02 I + 14.36 II (6.44 rod + 7.91 ring) + 0.01 III + 4.80 IV + 0.01 VIII, 0.06 I + 17.67 II (11.01 rod + 6.67 ring) + 0.06 III + 3.10 IV + 0.01 VI and 1.11 I + 11.31 II (5.80 rod + 5.51 ring) + 0.41 III + 5.63 IV + 0.03 VI + 0.03 VIII, respectively. Configuration 16 II + 4 IV and 12 II + 6 IV occurred in the highest frequency among the autotetraploid restorers and hybrids. Meiotic chromosome behaviors were less abnormal in the tetraploids with high seed set than those with low seed set. The hybrids had fewer frequencies of bivalents, univalents, trivalents and multivalents than the restorers, but higher frequency of quatrivalents than the restorers at MI. The frequency of univalents at MI had the most impact on pollen fertility and seed set, i.e., pollen fertility decreased with the increase of univalents. The secondary impact factors were trivalents and multivalents, and bivalents and quatrivalents had no effect on pollen fertility and seed set. The correlative relationship between pollen fertility and cytogenetic behaviors could be utilized to improve seed set in autotetraploidy breeding.     

Development of Triticum turgidum subsp. durum - Aegilops longissima amphiploids with high iron and zinc content through unreduced gamete formation in F1 hybrids

Four different interspecific hybrids involving three different accessions of Aegilops longissima Schweinf. & Muschl. with high grain iron and zinc content and three Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn. cultivars with low micronutrient content were made for durum wheat biofortification and investigated for chromosome pairing, fertility, putative amphiploidy, and micronutrient content. The chromosome pairing in the 21-chromosome F1 hybrids (ABSl) consisted of 0-6 rod bivalents and occasionally 1 trivalent. All the F1 hybrids, however, unexpectedly showed partial but variable fertility. The detailed meiotic investigation indicated the simultaneous occurrence of two types of aberrant meiotic divisions, namely first-division restitution and single-division meiosis, leading to regular dyads and unreduced gamete formation and fertility. The F2 seeds, being putative amphiploids (AABBSlSl), had nearly double the chromosome number (40-42) and regular meiosis and fertility. The F1 hybrids were intermediate between the two parents for different morphological traits. The putative amphiploids with bold seed size had higher grain ash content and ash iron and zinc content than durum wheat cultivars, suggesting that Ae. longissima possesses a better genetic system(s) for uptake and seed sequestration of iron and zinc, which could be transferred to elite durum and bread wheat cultivars and exploited.     

鹅观草属——人工合成双二倍体(2n=10x=70)的细胞学及育性的研究

本文对缘毛鹅观草(Roegneria pendulina)、鹅观草(R.tsukushiensis var.transiens)及其人工合成杂种F_1、双二倍体进行了细胞学,育性等的分析和研究。结果表明双亲的减数分裂,花粉育性和结实性均正常,杂种F_1的减数分裂不规则且完全不育;当代双二倍体的染色体数目为70,其减数分裂构型为:6.04 Ⅰ+26.21 Ⅱ+1.52 Ⅲ+1.59 Ⅳ+0.02 Ⅴ:第二代双二倍体的染色体数目为70,个别植株为69,减数分裂构型分别为:4.16 Ⅰ+27.33 Ⅱ+0.50 Ⅲ+2.16 Ⅳ和4.79 Ⅰ26.26 Ⅱ+1.13 Ⅲ+2.13 Ⅳ。与期望染色体配对模式相比,双二倍体中二价体出现的频率有明显增大的趋势。在减数分裂AⅠ和AⅡ分别观察到数目不定的落后单价体,大部份的四分体中出现了微核。双二倍体的育性得到了很大程度的恢复,其花粉可染色性及结实率分别为54.4％和64.0％。     

Experimental hybridization of north-west European species in Carex section Acutae (Cyperaceae)

Experiments were performed on the synthesis and fertility of interspecific hybrids in Carex section Acutae.
Crosses between members of a few pairs of species gave as high a seed set as crosses within species. Other pairs of species showed some degree of intersterility in their primary crosses, but the level of seed set varied widely according to which individuals of the species were crossed. The investigated species formed two groups, within which interfertility was high, and between which interfertility was low. These groups are compared with the taxonomic subsections of the Acutae and some amendments in the composition of the subsections are suggested.
In interspecific backcrosses, it was found that seed set was impaired only if the hybrid was the female parent. The pollen grains of interspecific hybrids were found to be more variable in size than those of non-hybrids.
Results obtained in these investigations confirm that C. juncella is conspecific with C. nigra and that north-west European plants of C. recta are actually interspecific hybrids of two types.     

Intergeneric Somatic Hybridization Between Brassica napus L. And Sinapis alba L.

Electrically induced protoplast fusion was used to produce somatic hybrids between Brassica napus L. and Sinapis alba L. Seven hybrids were obtained and verified by the simple sequence repeat and cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence analysis of the genefael, indicating that the characteristic bands from S. alba were present in the hybrids. The hybridity was also confirmed by chromosome number counting because the hybrids possessed 62 chromosomes, corresponding to the sum of fusion-parent chromosomes. Chromosome pairing at meiosis was predominantly normal, which led to high pollen fertility,ranging from 66% to 77%. All hybrids were grown to full maturity and could be fertilized and set seed after self-pollination or back-crosses with B. napus. The morphology of the hybrids resembled characteristics from both parental species. An analysis of the fatty acid composition in the seeds of F1 plants was conducted and the seeds were found to contain different amounts of erucic acid, ranging from 11.0% to 52.1%.     

Cytogenetic studies on two F1 hybrids of autotetraploid rice varieties showing extremely high level of heterosis

Mechanisms of two F1 hybrids (D46A × DTP-4 and D46A × Dminghui63) of autotetraploid rice (2n = 4x = 48) showing extremely high pollen fertility 87.40% and 85.97%, respectively, seed set 82.00% and 79.00%, respectively and extremely high level of heterosis were analyzed cytologically. The chromosome pairing of D46A × DTP-4 and D46A × Dminghui63 was normal at metaphase I(MI), and had almost no I or III, with an average of 0.020I +14.36 II 6.44rod+7.91ring) +0.01III + 4.80 IV + 0.01VIII and 0.06 I + 17.67 II (11.01rod + 6.67ring)] + 0.06 III +3.10IV+0.01VI, respectively. The most frequent chromosome configurations were 10II+7IV and 12II+bIV. The bivalent frequency was less frequent in hybrids than that in restoring parents, and the same results were gained from univalents, trivalent and multivalents. However, the quadrivalent frequency was significantly higher in hybrids than that in restoring parents at MI. The other meiotic phases progressed normally, except for low percentages of PMCs with lagging chromosomes at AI and low percentages of PMCs with micronuclei at telophaseI (TI) and telophaseII (TII). PMCs with lagging chromosomes at AI and PMCs with micronuclei at TI and TII showed negative correlation between pollen fertility and seed set. Above 90% of the PMCs could form normal microspores, which resulted in the production of viable pollen grains, abnormal microspores were observed including penta-fission and hexa-fission. Based on these results we suggest that the two F1 hybrids had better behaviors of chromosome pairing and genetic stability than autotetraploid rice and other autotetraploid plants ever studied.     

The genus Argemone. I. Cytogenetic relationships between diploid species

Cytogenetic investigations of 5 diploid Argemone species and their hybrids were undertaken. Correlative informations on the morphology, cytology, crossability and interfertility have been secured to understand the mechanism crossability and interfertility have been secured to understand the mechanism of speciation in the genus.All species studied possess 14 bivalents, normal meiosis and perfect pollen and seed fertility.Statistical comparisons regarding two meiotic metrics (frequency of ring bivalents; chiasma frequency) between some of the species revealed significant differences.Crosses were attempted in all species combinations, and hybrids were obtained in several. On the basis of pollen and seed fertility these were classified as fortile (mexicana × subfusiformis; subjusiformis × mexicana f. leiocarpa) and semifertile (mexicana × albiflora; subjusiformis × platyceras; mexicana f. leiocarpa × platyceras) hybrids. F₁'s are intermediate, qualitatively they exhibit heterosis.Meiosis was analysed in all hybrids (pachynema; M-I, A-I) and several metrics e.g. ring bivalent frequency, chiasma frequency were taken as indices of genome affinity.It is suggested that mexicana, mexicana f. leiocarpa and subfusiformis are taxonomically close and display only allelic differentiation: albiflora and platyceras are structurally distinct from each other. Several structural changes e.g. duplications, inversions, translocations etc. were involved in their differentiation.The role of isolation barriers in maintaining species differentiation is discussed.     

加拿大披碱草和圆柱披碱草BC1植株的细胞遗传学鉴定

以加拿大披碱草(2n=4x=28)和圆柱披碱草(2n=6x=42)为材料,对其BC1植株染色体数目、配对构型以及花粉育性和结实性等进行了鉴定。结果显示:BC1代85%以上细胞染色体数目为28条(2n=4x=28);BC1植株的花粉母细胞减数分裂中期Ⅰ染色体配对行为较规则,其平均染色体构型分别为0.04Ⅰ 13.98Ⅱ,且环状二价体多于棒状二价体;BC1植株的花粉可育率和自然结实率分别为84.83%和70.98%,说明BC1植株的育性已得到恢复,为其后代优良株系的选育奠定了基础。     

Crossability of Brassica tournefortii and B. rapa, and morphology and cytology of their F1 hybrids

The crossability between Brassica tournefortii (TT, 2n = 20) and Brassica rapa (AA, 2n = 20) and the cytomorphology of their F₁ hybrids were studied. Hybrids between these two species were obtained only when B. tournefortii was involved as a female parent. The hybrid plants were intermediate for most of the morphological attributes and were found to be free from white rust under field conditions. The F₁ plants showed poor pollen fertility, although occasional seed set was achieved from open pollination. Self-pollination or backcrosses did not yield any seeds in these plants. The occurrence of chromosome association ranging from bivalents (0–7), trivalents (0–2) to a rare quadrivalent (0–1) in the dihaploid hybrids indicates pairing between the T and A genomes. The homoeologous pairing coupled with seed set in the F₁ plants offer an opportunity for interspecific gene transfers from B. tournefortii to B. rapa and vice-versa through interspecific hybridization. Received: 3 July 2000 / Accepted: 22 September 2000     

Reproduction and cytogenetic characterization of interspecific hybrids derived from Cucumis hystrix Chakr. x Cucumis sativus L

Interspecific hybrids between Cucumis hystrix Chakr. (2n = 2 x = 24) and Cucumis sativus L. (2n = 2 x = 14) were produced by means of F(1) (2n = 19) embryo rescue and subsequent chromosome doubling. The hybridity was confirmed by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and chromosome analysis. The amphidiploid (2n = 38) was self-pollinated and backcrossed to cucumber resulting in lines with improved crossability to C. sativus. Examination of shape, stainability, and germination rate of pollen grains and yield as a function of mature fruit set per ten pollinated flowers indicated a tendency for increased fertility in BC(1)S(1) progeny when compared to F(1) and amphidiploid offspring. Cytogenetic characterization of F(1) and amphidiploid progeny was performed. Generally normal meioses produced viable pollen grains, and fertilization resulted in partial fertility restoration in amphidiploid progeny. Chromosome anomalies such as "frying-pan trivalent", chromosome lagging and spindle mis-orientation were also observed. In most of the PMCs of the F(1) diploid hybrid progeny, 19 univalents were observed at diakinesis and MI. In the amphidiploid, more than 90% of the configurations at MI consisted of the predicted 19 bivalents and less than 5% contained multivalents [trivalents (2.3%) + quadrivalents (0.3%)], suggesting the presence of preferential pairing, and a distinctive parental genome as well. The chiasmata observed between homoeologous chromosomes further demonstrated the introgression of the C. hystrix genome into that of C. sativus.     

Biosystematic studies on Hystrix longearistata from Japan and Hystrix duthiei from China (Poaceae: Triticeae)

Morphological comparison, cytogenetic study and fertility analysis of Hystrix duthiei (2n = 28) from China, Hystrix longearistata (2n= 28) from Japan and their artificial hybrids were carried out. Morphologically H. duthiei was similar to H. longearistata. H. longearistata had longer lemma awn, wider leaf and 2～3 florets per spikelet, while H. duthiei had 1～2 florets per spikelet. These two taxa can be easily crossed. F_l hybrids showed very high degree of bivalent pairing (13～14 bivalents) at the metaphase- I of meiosis. No multivalents were found. The fertility of pollen and seed set of the parents were normal, while the F_l hybrids were of only partial fertility. H. longearistata was closely related to H. duthiei. They should be included in the same species. Because of the differences of their distributions and habitats, some morphological divergency and a little sterility barrier have had appeared between them. It is reasonable to treat Hystrix longearistata as a sub-species of Hystrix duthiei .     

普通小麦与黑麦属间杂种(F_1)育性特点的研究

34个小麦品种(系)与黑麦进行了杂交,结果表明:亲和性在供试材料间存在明显差异,其中12个小麦品种表现了与中国春相似的亲和性;对34个小麦/黑麦属间杂种(F_1)的回交结实率和开放授粉条件下的自交结实率的统计表明,杂种育性普遍较差,但不同组合间存在明显不同,其回交与自交结实率的变异幅度分别为0—4.50%和0—3.087粒/穗;小麦与黑麦属间杂种(F_1)育性与杂交亲和性间存在明显相关,回交和自交结实率以及能够回交和自交结实组合的出现频率均随亲和性的增加而表现增加的趋势;在小麦品种演化过程中,亲和性与杂种育性均表现降低的趋势;小麦/黑麦属间杂种(F_1)PMC MI染色体配对水平普遍较低,平均交叉结仅为0.359,但组合间存在一定差异,变幅为0—1.3;平均99.936%的杂种(F_1)花粉表现败育,仅有0.064%的杂种(F_1)花粉能被KI—I_2正常染色,杂种(F_1)染色体配对水平与正常染色花粉频率、正常染色花粉频率与自交结实率间存在一定程度的相关性,相关系数分别为0.209和0.205。     

Molecular cytogenetic study on the plants of Elymus nutans with varying fertility on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

A molecular cytogenetic investigation was conducted on plants of the allohexaploid species Elymus nutans with varying fertility on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Molecular karyotyping revealed that chromosome variants were distributed unevenly among genomes and among different homologue chromosomes in each genome. The plants with varying fertility exhibited significantly higher numbers of chromosome variants than did the normal fertility samples, although both kinds of plants showed the same pattern of high-to-low polymorphism from the Y to St and H genomes. Heterozygosis and karyotype heterozygosity in the plants with varying fertility were 3- and 13-fold higher than those in normal samples, respectively. Significant negative correlations were found not only between seed setting rates and total genome heterozygosity but also between seed setting rates and heterozygosity of each genome in the plants of varying fertility. Chromosome pairing analysis was performed using genomic in situ hybridization in selected plants of different fertility levels. The pairing of chromosomes at meiotic metaphase I was mostly bivalent, although univalent, trivalent, quadrivalent, and other polyvalents also occurred; in addition, chromosome configuration forms and frequencies varied among the studied samples. ANOVA results showed that the average number of ring bivalents in the Y genome was significantly higher than those in the St and H genomes. Significant positive correlations between pollen grain fertility and ring bivalent number were found in the St and H genomes but not in the Y genome. Furthermore, chromosome configuration parameters (total bivalents, numbers of ring and rod bivalents) were found to be significantly correlated with heterozygosity and seed setting rates in the St and H genomes, respectively, but not in the Y genome. It was inferred that the seed setting rate and pollen grain fertility in E. nutans are strongly influenced by the heterozygosity of each genome, but the Y genome differs from the St and H genomes due to chromosome pair alterations. The St and H genomes may contain more chromosome structural variations than the Y genome in E. nutans.     

Chromosome association and pollen fertility of parental and interspecific hybrids of Lycopersicon esculentum X L. hirsutum and L. pennellii

Cytological studies were carried out on two wild species (L. hirsutum and L. pennellii) and the cultivated species (L. esculentum) of tomato and their F1 hybrids. Both parents and hybrids show a diploid chromosome number of 2n=24. The meiotic behaviour of the cultivated species showed a high degree of chromosome homology resulting in a high level of chiasmata frequency per bivalent. In contrast, the two wild species showed a slight increase in uniyalent frequency and a decrease in bivalent formation and chiasmata frequency. The meiotic behaviour of the hybrids showed a high level of univalents and low levels of bivalents as well as trivalents. Highly significant decreases in chiasmata frequency and increases in meiotic abnormalities, especially in the L. esculentum X L. pennellii hybrid, also were detected. The high meiotic irregularity and low chiasmata frequency recorded in the second hybrid indicated the disharmony and difference between its parental genomes and also served to predict its sterility. With regard to degree of pairing recorded in the hybrids, there is a possibility that sterility in such cases may refer to genetic factors in addition to the previously mentioned reasons. Pollen fertility showed no great difference between L. esculentum and L. hirsutum and their F1 hybrid, but a significant decrease was recorded in the L. esculentum X L. pennellii hybrid, which was clearly associated with high meiotic irregularity, low chiasmata frequency and chromosome association.     

Cytogenetic studies in Trifolium sp. related to berseem

Summary In a cytogenetic study of five annual Trifolium spp. the genetical relationships between (1) T. scutatum Boiss. and (2) T. plebeium Boiss., and between them and (3) T. carmeli Boiss., (4) T. echinatum M. B. and (5) T. latinum Seb., were studied in intra- and interspecific F₁ and F₂ hybrids. Germination, seedlings development, pollen fertility and chromosome configurations during meiosis and seedset were recorded. All the T. scutatum x T. plebeium F₁ were green, but the hybrids between either T. plebeium or T. scutatum and T. carmeli, T. echinatum or T. latinum were mainly albinos. Those that were green had a very high rate of mortality and the survivors produced many albino seedlings. Pollen fertility was about 60% in scutatum x plebeium F₁s, and one of their eight bivalents was heteromorphic. Hybrids between either of these and T. carmeli, T. echinatum or T. latinum had 30–50% stainable pollen and had several multivalents, suggesting the existence of a system of chromosomal translocations in these species. Seed set was roughly correlated with pollen stainability. The nature of the isolation mechanisms operating between these species is discussed.Contribution from the Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, Israel. 1973 Series, No. 186-E. The work reported here was financed by Grant FG-IS-222 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture under P. L. 480.     

Intergeneric Somatic Hybridization Between Brassica napus L. and Sinapis alba L.

Electrically induced protoplast fusion was used to produce somatic hybrids between Brassica napus L. and Sinapis alba L. Seven hybrids were obtained and verified by the simple sequence repeat and cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence analysis of the genefael, indicating that the characteristic bands from S. alba were present in the hybrids. The hybridity was also confirmed by chromosome number counting because the hybrids possessed 62 chromosomes, corresponding to the sum of fusion-parent chromosomes. Chromosome pairing at meiosis was predominantly normal, which led to high pollen fertility,ranging from 66% to 77%. All hybrids were grown to full maturity and could be fertilized and set seed after self-pollination or back-crosses with B. napus. The morphology of the hybrids resembled characteristics from both parental species. An analysis of the fatty acid composition in the seeds of F1 plants was conducted and the seeds were found to contain different amounts of erucic acid, ranging from 11.0% to 52.1%.     

Chromosome pairing in triploid intergeneric hybrids ofFestuca pratensis withLolium multiflorum, revealed by GISH

Genomic in situ hybridisation (GISH) was used to reveal chromosome pairing in two partly fertile, triploid (2n = 3x = 21) hybrids obtained by crossing the diploid (2n = 2x = 14) Festuca pratensis Huds. (designated FpFp), used as a female parent, with the autotetraploid (2n = 4x = 28) Lolium multiflorum Lam. (designated LmLmLmLm), used as a male parent. The pattern of chromosome pairing calculated on the basis of the mean values of chromosome configurations identified in all 100 PMCs analysed, was: 0.71I Lm + 2.24I Fp + 2.18II Lm/Lm + 0.54II Lm/Fp + 4.18III Lm/Lm/Fp. A relatively high number of Lm/Lm bivalents and Fp univalents, and a low number of Lm/Fp bivalents and Lm univalents indicated that the pairing was preferential between L. multiflorum chromosomes. Other observations regarding chromosome pairing within the Lm/Lm/Fp trivalents also confirmed this preferential pairing in the analysed triploids, as the Fp chromosome was not randomly located in the chain- and frying-pan-shaped trivalents. The similarities and differences in chromosome pairing at metaphase I and the level of preferential pairing between Lolium chromosomes in the different triploid Lolium-Festuca hybrids are discussed.     

CHROMOSOMES AND CROSSING BEHAVIOR OF SOME SPECIES OF SANSEVIERIA

Menzel , Margaret Y. (Florida State U., Tallahassee), and James B. Pate . Chromosomes and crossing behavior of some species of Sansevieria. Amer. Jour. Bot. 47(3) : 230—238. Illus. 1960.–Approximately 20 species (28 clones) studied were diploids, tetraploids or hexaploids of the basic numbers x = 20; about 40% of the taxa were polyploid. All species had similar karyotypes, except for chromosome number. Five of 12 combinations of diploid species gave fertile F₁ hybrids; 4 studied cytologically showed 20 bivalents at metaphase I. Two triploid interspecific hybrids showed high trivalent frequencies. In contrast, multivalent formation in polyploid species was variable but rather low. Morphological relationships appeared reticulate among and between diploids and polyploids and did not coincide with barriers to crossing or to hybrid fertility. The following tentative hypothesis concerning relationships in the genus is proposed: Sansevieria is monophyletic and speciation has proceeded through genetic variation and hybridization at the diploid level and by allopolyploidy (of the segmental type) ; a low level of chromosome differentiation has accompanied speciation such that complete pairing occurs in diploid hybrids, but considerable preferential pairing occurs in allopolyploids. The occurrence of both polyploid and hybrid vigor, the fertility of hybrids between species differing greatly in morphology and physiology, and the high potential for vegetative propagation make the genus a favorable subject for breeding based on interspecific hybridization.     

Production,morphology, and cytogenetic analysis of Elymus caninus (Agropyron caninum) x Triticum aestivum F1 hybrids and backcross-1 derivatives

Summary Intergeneric hybrids were produced between common wheat, Triticum aestivum (2n=6x=42, AABBDD) and wheatgrass, Etymus caninus (Agropyron caninum) (2n=4x=28, SSHH) — the first successful report of this cross. Reciprocal crosses and genotypes differed for percent seed set, seed development and F₁ hybrid plant production. With E. caninus as the pollen parent, there was no hybrid seed set. In the reciprocal cross, seed set was 23.1–25.4% depending upon wheat genotype used. Hybrid plants were produced only by rescuing embryos 12–13 days post pollination with cv Chinese Spring as the wheat parent. Kinetin in the medium facilitated embryo germination but inhibited root development and seedling growth. The hybrids were vigorous, self sterile, and intermediate between parents. These had expected chromosome number (2n=5x=35, ABDSH), very little chromosome pairing (0.51 II, 0.04 III) and some secondary associations. The hybrids were successfully backcrossed with wheat. Chromosome number in the BC₁ derivatives varied 54–58 with 56 as the modal class. The BC₁ derivatives showed unusually high number of rod bivalents or reduced pairing of wheat homologues. These were sterile and BC₂ seed was produced using wheat pollen.