Investigations on Hybrid Necrosis in Wheat

The present investigations were aimed at testing a large number of indigenous and exotic wheat germplasm for their genes for necrosis. Of the 158 bread wheat varieties studied, 16 were found to be Ne₁ carriers, 105 Ne₂ carriers and 37 non-carriers. All the 20 durum varieties tested were strong Ne, carriers. The only dicoccum variety studied was found to be a non-carrier. The information gathered is of vital importance especially in view of the necessity to incorporate desirable genes from exotic sources, particularly of Mexican origin.