In Vitro Production of Triticale (Triticum × Secale) Through Embryo Culture

Abstract

Triticale — the first man-made cereal obtained as a result of a cross between wheat × rye — is an octoploid plant, and it is potentially superior to both wheat and rye. Although the agronomic superiority of the hexaploid triticale to the octoploid triticale and wheat is obvious (Scoles and Kaltsikes 1974), yet it is difficult to obtain. In nature, the cross between Triticum durum (tetraploid) × Secale cereale (diploid) to produce hexaploid triticale is incompatible owing to the early abortion of the embryo. However, by using embryo culture, a limited number of hybrids can be obtained (Larter 1968; Zillinsky and Lopez 1973; Bajaj et al. 1978; Kaltsikes and Gustafson 1986; Varughese et al. 1987). The importance of triticale as a commercial crop (Larter et al. 1970; Kiss 1971; Zillinisky and Borlaug 1971) and its significance in cereal improvement programs has been fairly well emphasized (Sisodia and McGinni 1970a,b; Zillinsky and Lopez 1973). Bates et al. 1974; Zillinksy 1985, and the literature pertaining to this has been reviewed (Kaltsikes 1974; Muntzing 1974; Tsen 1974; Darvey 1986). In addition to the potential of triticale as a cereal with a high protein content for human consumption and as a feed, is its importance in the distilling and brewing industry.