Androgenetic response of heterozygous triticale populations using a greenhouse hydroponic system

Abstract

Production of haploids, followed by chromosome doubling to produce doubled haploids (DH) represents the most rapid means of achieving complete inbreeding. In order to improve the androgenetic responses and maximize the production of green regenerants from selected plants of twenty-five triticale (× Triticosecale, Wittmack) populations (BC1F1, TC1F1, and F2) we used a uniform and optimal growth environment for anther donor plants within a greenhouse hydroponic system. Non-orthogonal analysis of deviance showed highly significant differences (p < 0.001) among populations for both induction and regeneration. The overall induction response of the populations was very high with a mean of 50.4 embryoids per 100 anthers plated. Among all tested-populations, M86-6068/TW179//EP80 (TC1F1) was the most responsive for both induction and regeneration which could be associated to its Triticum timopheevii cytoplasm. On the other hand, although populations 80465/II83-194 both as BC1F1 and F2 had a high level of induction response, only a few green plants were regenerated. These populations probably possess a partial Secale montanum genome, which could be contributing to the low regeneration ability. In conclusion, the need for optimization of donor plant growth conditions to effectively assess the androgenetic ability of individual populations/lines would be emphasized.