Spontaneous chromosome doubling via
union of unreduced (2n) gametes has been thought to
be the way that common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
was originated from the hybridization of T. turgidum
L. with Ae. tauschii Cosson. Previous works have
observed unreduced gametes in F1 hybrids of Ae.
tauschii with six of the eight T. turgidum subspecies. It
is not clear, however, whether the formation of these
unreduced gametes is a norm in the F1 hybrids. In the
present study, we tried to answer this question by
assessing the occurrence frequency of unreduced
gametes in 115 T. turgidum–Ae. tauschii hybrid
combinations, involving 76 genotypes of seven
T. turgdium subspecies and 24 Ae. tauschii accessions.
Our data show that these hybrid combinations differed
significantly (P B 0.01, F = 11.40) in selfed seedset,
an indicator for production of unreduced gametes.
This study clearly showed that meiotic restitution
genes are widely distributed within T. turgidum.
However, significant differences were found between
as well as within T. turgidum subspecies and in the
interaction of the T. turgidum genotypes with those of
Ae. taushii. The possible application of the meiotic
restitution genes from T. turgidum in production of
double haploids is also discussed.
union of unreduced (2n) gametes has been thought to
be the way that common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
was originated from the hybridization of T. turgidum
L. with Ae. tauschii Cosson. Previous works have
observed unreduced gametes in F1 hybrids of Ae.
tauschii with six of the eight T. turgidum subspecies. It
is not clear, however, whether the formation of these
unreduced gametes is a norm in the F1 hybrids. In the
present study, we tried to answer this question by
assessing the occurrence frequency of unreduced
gametes in 115 T. turgidum–Ae. tauschii hybrid
combinations, involving 76 genotypes of seven
T. turgdium subspecies and 24 Ae. tauschii accessions.
Our data show that these hybrid combinations differed
significantly (P B 0.01, F = 11.40) in selfed seedset,
an indicator for production of unreduced gametes.
This study clearly showed that meiotic restitution
genes are widely distributed within T. turgidum.
However, significant differences were found between
as well as within T. turgidum subspecies and in the
interaction of the T. turgidum genotypes with those of
Ae. taushii. The possible application of the meiotic
restitution genes from T. turgidum in production of
double haploids is also discussed.
The research has been published on Euphytica (2010)
172:285–294 DOI 10.1007/s10681-009-0081-7
Lian-Quan Zhang • Deng-Cai Liu • You-Liang Zheng •
Ze-Hong Yan • Shou-Fen Dai • Yun-Fang Li •
Qi Jiang • Ya-Qing Ye • Yang Yen
Ze-Hong Yan • Shou-Fen Dai • Yun-Fang Li •
Qi Jiang • Ya-Qing Ye • Yang Yen