Hybridization of Haynaldia villosa with Triticum aestivum

Abstract

Accounts of hybridization between Haynaldia and species of genera in the Triticinae are discussed. The first successful hybridization of Haynaldia villosa and hexaploid wheat is reported. Crossability was very low, of the order of 1.2%. The hybrid was more wheat-like than Haynaldia-like in general phenotypic characters. There was very little, or no, pairing between Haynaldia and Triticum chromosomes. The significance of this event to evolutionary studies in the Triticinae and to the genetic improvement of bread wheat is discussed.