Androgenetic response of heterozygous triticale populations using a greenhouse hydroponic system

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. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.