Pollen Longevity in Wheat, Rye and Triticale

The duration of pollen life was measured for several varieties of wheat, rye and triticale to determine whether the inclusion of alleles for pollen longevity from alien sources would be necessary and effective in hybrid wheat production. Percent seed set was calculated from spikes in which emasculated flowers had been pollinated with pollen stored for specified time intervals under desiccation and under normal greenhouse conditions. Seed was set on wheat, rye and triticale lines using pollen stored for 45, 220, and 80 minutes, respectively. These results indicate that the duration of wheat pollen life is adequate for fertilization to occur under conditions normally used in hybrid wheat production, and that. Introgression of alien alleles is not necessary.