Distant hybridization as a method of haploid production in cereals

Elimination of chromosomes is a phenomenon widespread in distant hybrids. It ranges from the loss of one or two chromosomes to elimination of whole chromosome complement of one of the parents. Such elimination leads to the production of haploid plants, which then are treated with colchicine to double the chromosome number and to develop DH‑lines. Homozygosity of doubled haploids serves as a basis for their wide use in plant genetics and breeding. The use of this approach reduces the time required for obtaining homozygous lines by 5 years on the average. It leads to savings in human resources, energy and acreage. The development of the “bulbosum” method for haploid barley production had a strong influence on the chromosome engineering in cereals and its implementation in plant breeding. However, the method developed on that basis could not be used effectively for producing haploids of wheat, triticale, etc. because of Hordeum bulbosum L. pollen sensitivity to genes inhibiting wheat crossability (Kr genes). The crosses with Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch. is an efficient alternative to the widely used wheat × maize and triticale × maize crosses due to abundant pollen supply within a longer time period, significantly higher frequency of embryos formation and haploid plants regeneration.