Synthesis of Brassica carinata from Brassica nigra x Brassica oleracea hybrids obtained by ovary culture

Summary Brassica carinata was synthesized by hybridization between its diploid progenitor species B. nigra and B. oleracea followed by chromosome doubling. Up to 40 times more hybrids were obtained, using ovary culture than with conventional hand pollination. Two hybrids from the cross B. nigra x B. oleracea var alboglabra were raised to maturity. High chromosome pairing was observed in both the hybrids and the amphidiploid. A range of variability for desirable characters is reported in the synthesized amphidiploids.