Choice of Maize Genotype Affects Wheat Haploid Seed and Success of Embryo Rescue

Abstract

In wheat (Triticum aestivum) breeding, the use of double haploids plays a vital role by reducing the length of the breeding cycle. The first step in the production of a wheat double haploid is to create a haploid, which in wheat can be achieved via wheat × maize cross, and resulting haploid plants are recovered by embryo rescue. In this study, a wheat segregating population (F₂) was emasculated and pollinated with pollen from four maize varieties (Sadaf, Malka-2016, Pearl and MMRI yellow). Maize genotype affected the outcome of haploid seed production (Sadaf = 28.58%; Pearl = 28.33%; Malka-2016 = 26.42%; MMRI yellow = 17.97%) and embryo rescue (Malka-2016 = 27.02%; MMRI yellow = 25.82%; Sadaf = 20.17%; Pearl = 16.47%). Sadaf produced maximum haploid seed (28.58%) followed by Pearl (28.33%) but higher embryo rescued success (27.02%) was observed in Malka-2016 followed by MMRI (25.82%). We recommend the use of Sadaf or Malka-2016 to produce haploid seed and to achieve successful embryo rescue in wheat × maize crossing for wheat doubled haploid production.