In vivo colchicine manipulation for enhancing DH production efficiency in Triticum durum using Imperata cylindrica-mediated chromosome elimination approach

Durum wheat × Imperata cylindrica hybridization was carried out utilizing two durum wheat genotypes as maternal parents (A-9-30-1 and PDW 314) and I. cylindrica as a pollen source followed by in vivo application of colchicine to establish a standard protocol for colchicine application aimed at enhancement of doubled haploid production in durum wheat. Various concentrations of colchicine ranging from 500 to 7000 ppm were injected to the pollinated spikes at different time interval viz., 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after pollination. Application of 5000–7000 ppm colchicine at 48 h after pollination was established as the optimum colchicine dose for chromosome doubling as confirmed through cytological studies in durum wheat using I. cylindrica-mediated chromosome elimination approach. PDW 314 was identified as a durum wheat genotype having more potential for doubled haploid induction via in vivo colchicine application than A-9-30-1. Identification of optimum dose of colchicine for application at in vivo level for induction of doubled haploids has opened new vistas in durum wheat improvement programme.