Maize-induced haploid production from triticale x wheat crosses

The system of maize induced haploidy was used to devise a rapid technique for generating D/R substitutions from F₁s of hexaploid triticale x bread wheat. Standard wheat x maize protocol was ineffective. Two refinements which included supplementing the 2,4-D (100ppm) with picloram (100 pm) for use in post pollination tiller injection and advancing the F₁S of triticale x wheat to subsequent generations via selfing and backcrossing proved effective. Caryopsis formation frequency (CFF) to the tune of 52.30%, 11.59% embryo formation frequency (EFF) and 13.10% plant regeneration frequency (PRF) were achieved. Using above modified auxin treatment the response of F₁s of triticale x wheat (Chinese spring with Ph suppressor) towards maize induced haploid induction was also obtained with CFF of 17.54 and EFF of 4.65 percent. The maize mediated haploid induction is proposed as a rapid technique for the genetic enhancement of triticale and wheat.