Evaluating Rye Inbred Lines Per Se and in Euplasmic and Alloplasmic Crosses for Triticale Suitability

Abstract

The production of primary triticales (× Triticosecale Wittmack) is laborious and the performance of the resulting amphidiploids has been mostly unsatisfactory. It is, therefore, desirable to have criteria to assess wheat and rye lines as suitable triticale parents. This study investigated the genotypic variation and covariation caused by 15 rye (Secale cereale L.) inbred lines per se and as parents of testcrosses, euplasmic and alloplasmic (Triticum turgidum L. and T. aestivum L. cytoplasm) rye F2 populations, and hexaploid and octoploid primary triticales in order to assess rye lines for their “triticale suitability.” All materials were evaluated in drilled yield trials at two locations and in 2 yr. Genotypic variances between rye lines were generally greater than those due to rye parents in testcrosses, F2 populations, and primary triticales. The variances of hexaploid and octoploid triticales, when significant, were of similar magnitude. Correlations between the two ploidy levels were moderate to high for all traits. Relationships between triticales and corresponding rye materials were inconsistent and frequently negative for yield and yield component traits. The prediction of triticale performance based on rye line and cross performance was possible for days to heading, but was without prospect for the yield complex. Rye lines which proved favorable as parents of hexaploid triticales were superior at the octoploid level as well.