Endosperm abnormalities in Triticum–Secale combinations. I. × Triticosecale and its parental species

Abstract

The development of the fertilized embryo sac was investigated in four triticale lines, common wheat, durum wheat, and rye to ascertain whether a relationship exists between events taking place during the first 6–7 days of its life and kernel shrivelling. No differences were found with respect to embryo development either among triticale or between triticale and wheat lines. Generalized antipodal disintegration occurred earlier in rye and triticale with shrivelled seeds than in either wheat (common and durum) or triticale with full seeds; the difference was more pronounced between wheat and rye than among triticale lines. Triticale with shrivelled seeds and rye were also characterized by a higher number of aberrant endosperm nuclei and delayed generalized endosperm cellularization when compared with lines with plump kernels or with the wheats. No relationship could be established between the kind and position of aberrant nuclei and kernel shrivelling or frequency of aberrants and fertility. The rye parent is most likely responsible for the early degeneration of the antipodals, the formation of the aberrant endosperm nuclei, and the kernel shrivelling observed in triticale.