Genotype and age effect on in vitro embryo rescue of bread wheat x hexaploid triticale hybrids

The in vitro embryo rescue response of hybrid embryos of different ages and sizes of 16 bread wheat x hexaploid triticale crosses was studied. Response was dependent on the parental wheat genotype. However, the triticale genotype did not seem to affect the response of in vitro embryo rescue. Optimum age of the embryo for better recovery of complete plantlets coincided with onset of the drying of hybrid caryopses in the field. Embryo size was positively correlated with embryo germination and recovery of plantlets and negatively correlated with callus development. The best embryo germination (55.55%) and plantlet recovery (50%) were recorded in the hybrid HD 2380 wheat x JNIT 173 triticale.