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Generation of Interspecific Hybrids of Trifolium Using Embryo Rescue Techniques

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Plant Embryo Culture

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 710))

Abstract

The genus Trifolium Leguminosae (Fabaceae), commonly called clovers, includes 237–290 annual and perennial species, of which about 20 are important as cultivated and pasture crops. Taxonomic distribution supported by molecular analysis indicates that Mediterranean region is one of the main centers of distribution of the genus and also a center of domestication and breeding. Self-incompatibility is prevalent in the genus, controlled by a single, multiallelic gene expressed gametophytically in the pollen. It was suggested that hybridity did not play a major role in the evolution of the genus due to the poor crossability of the species under natural conditions. Interspecific hybridization in the genus Trifolium by conventional crossing techniques has been largely unsuccessful. Post-zygotic barriers appear to be a primary cause of the reproductive isolation, associated with endosperm disintegration and consequent abnormal differentiation and starvation of the hybrid embryo. As hybridization using conventional techniques has almost failed in Trifolium, embryo culture technique was used by breeders to obtain new combinations of interspecific hybrids. Embryo culture has been effectively used in developing interspecific hybrids in Trifolium ambiguum, T. pratense, T. montanum, T. occidentale, T. isthomocarpum, T. repens, T. nigrescens, T. uniflorum, T. sarosiense, T. alexandrinum, T. apertum, T. resupinatum, T. constantinopolitanum, T. rubens, and T. alpestre in various combinations. The successful embryo ­rescue and development of hybrid plantlets requires skilled techniques of tissue culture and field practices. It includes hybridization in field; excision of hybrid embryos at appropriate stage; disinfection and culture in suitable culture media to allow maturation of embryo, multiplication of shoots, and rooting; hardening of the plantlets; inoculation with suitable Rhizobium culture; and transfer to field.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, India

    Ajoy Kumar Roy & Devendra Ram Malaviya

  2. Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Orissa, India

    Pankaj Kaushal

Authors
  1. Ajoy Kumar Roy
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  2. Devendra Ram Malaviya
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  3. Pankaj Kaushal
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ajoy Kumar Roy .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, University Dr. NW., 2500, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Alberta, Canada

    Trevor A. Thorpe

  2. , Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, University Dr. NW 2500, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Alberta, Canada

    Edward C. Yeung

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© 2011 Humana Press

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Roy, A.K., Malaviya, D.R., Kaushal, P. (2011). Generation of Interspecific Hybrids of Trifolium Using Embryo Rescue Techniques. In: Thorpe, T., Yeung, E. (eds) Plant Embryo Culture. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 710. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61737-988-8_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61737-988-8_12

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61737-987-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61737-988-8

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