Selfcompatibility in microspore-derived doubled-haploid rye lines and single grain selection for alkylresorcinol content

Summary From a total of 138 green androgenetic rye lines, 25 were fertilized and examined in field tests: 7 were heterozygous and 18 were homozygous. Of the homozygotes, 4 turned out to be selfincompatible, while 14 set seed after selfing. Four characters were analyzed in detail: 100 kernel weight, plant height, ear length, and alkylresorcinol content. Here we present the first approach in prescreening selfcompatible androgenetic doubled-haploid rye plants with the single grain procedure. The usefulness of this method was confirmed by quantitative resorcinol determination in the following generation. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that all the homologues of the alkylresorcinol were equally reduced. For all characters the means of the different anther derived lines exceeded the means of the controls in both directions, to the positive as well as to the negative side. The incorporation of such a haploid breeding step into breeding programs is discussed.Dedicated to Professor Dr. G. Melchers, on the occasion of his 75th birthday, who initiated this work by forming the project-groups Haploide in der Pflanzenzüchtung