HYBRIDIZATION OF TRITICUM AND AGROPYRON: IV. FURTHER CROSSING RESULTS AND STUDIES ON THE F1 HYBRIDS

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Abstract
Results are given of hybridization work involving 27 Triticum forms and 18 Agropyron species. Only two Agropyron species, A. glaucum and A. elongatum, crossed successfully with Triticum. Several hundred F1 plants have been obtained.Hybrid seeds varied greatly in size; some were deficient in endosperm, others lacked the embryo. Seed germination and seedling nutrition were materially aided by use of 2 to 5% glucose solutions.In general, Agropyron characters tended to be dominant in inheritance, particularly in crosses involving A. elongatum. The dominance relations for important characters are: Agropyron dominance in perenniality, vegetative vigor, and extent of mature root; partial Agropyron dominance in general morphological type, shattering of rachis, adherence of glumes to seeds, and winter hardiness; intermediate inheritance in texture of mature root, size of seed, rigidity of leaf, and leaf pubescence.A method of root extraction is described in which plants are grown in special containers that permit reasonably normal root development and greatly facilitate extraction.F1 plants of crosses involving A. glaucum are completely sterile, while in A. elongatum crosses a fair proportion are moderately fertile. Chromosomal associations and relative proportions of functional and non-functional pollen are discussed in relation to fertility.The more important results from similar work in Russia are outlined and discussed in relation to present results and future prospects of the investigation.

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