Comparative efficiency of triticale × wheat derived F1, F2, F3, BC1F1 and BC1F2 recombinants towards Imperata cylindrica-mediated doubled haploid induction

Doubled haploidy breeding from F1 population accelerates the varietal development programmes by producing instant homozygosity but the plants undergo only one round of recombination. Generation of doubled haploids (DHs) from F2/F3 or backcrossed populations may allow for more recombination and selection of rare homozygous recombinants. However, very few reports on this account are available to suggest utilization of the filial generations that should be utilized for double haploid production. Keeping this in view, the present investigation was formulated to evaluate triticale × wheat derived F1, F2, F3, BC1F1 and BC1F2 generations towards haploid induction parameters following the Imperata cylindrica-mediated chromosome elimination approach. Based on statistical analysis, the backcrosses (BC1F1 and BC1F2) were observed to be significantly better than the F1, F2 and F3 populations towards haploid induction parameters under consideration. Among the backcrosses, BC1F2 outperformed BC1F1 towards pseudoseed formation (average 41.28 and 42.50% in 2013–14 and 2014–15, respectively) whereas the latter was significantly better than the former towards haploid embryo formation (average 33.22 and 37.03% in 2013–14 and 2014–15, respectively). Both populations were observed to be at par with each other for haploid regeneration (average 49.36 and 49.56% in 2013–14 and 49.08 and 49.90% in 2014–15) but significantly better than other generations used in the experiment. Hence, involving backcrosses in doubled haploidy breeding programmes may increase the number of haploids and DHs thus resulting in rapid development of mapping populations.