The rye genome in wheat breeding

Merker, A. 1984. The rye genome in wheat breeding. —Hereditas 100: 183–191. Lund, Sweden. ISSN 0018–0661. Received June 10, 1983 Five different BC1F3-populations from the cross (hexaploid triticale × bread wheat) bread wheat× were cytologically analysed for the presence of rye chromatin by means of a Giemsa C-banding technique. The populations contained from 13 to 30 per cent plants with detectable rye transfers. Different rye chromosomes appeared in different frequencies. IR being the most frequent and 7R the least. 5R and 7R appeared only in monosomic dose, the others in disomic also. The populations had high frequencies of aneupioids. Of the plants with rye transfers. 60 per cent were aneuploid and. of those without, 47 per cent were aneuploid. Average fertility for the group with rye transfers was lower than for the group without. Fertile disomic substitution lines with the rye chromosomes IR. 2R. 3R and 6R have been isolated from the material. The results are discussed in relation to the extension of the gene pool of bread wheat and in relation to wheat breeding.