Expression of various gametic types in pollen plants regenerated from hybrids between Triticum-Agropyron and wheat

Summary Studies of the chromosomal composition of pollen plants regenerated from the F₁ of hybrids produced from Triticum-Agropyron intermediate type and common wheat demonstrated that various gametic types of the F₁ could be fully expressed at the whole plant level via anther culture. The observed frequency of each of the eight types of pollen plants (based on their chromosome numbers) was in good agreement with the theoretical probabilities as shown by X² analysis. Comparative studies of the chromosome composition of somatic cells and pollen mother cells (PMC's) of selected pollen plants permitted classification of the plants into four distinct classes. The majority of these regenerated pollen plants had identical chromosome numbers in both root tip cells and PMC's. An alien disomic addition line, which was cytologically stable for two generations, was obtained directly from anther culture. Moreover, the addition line exhibits resistance to stripe rust disease, a trait which is conferred by the Agropyron chromosome. We suggest that anther culture techniques provide a unique and expeditious route for the introduction of alien genes or chromosomes into wheat cultivars.