Enhancing doubled haploid production efficiency in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) by in vivo colchicine manipulations in Imperata cylindrica-mediated chromosome elimination approach

Abstract

Colchicine doses ranging from 100 to 10 000ppm with and without 2, 4-D application were administered in vivo to the uppermost internodes of Imperata cylindrica-pollinated wheat plants at various intervals for assessing the potent concentration required for doubling of chromosomes. Although injection of single dose of colchicine concentration ranging from 2000 to 5000ppm at 48h after pollination yielded good response, 2000ppm was found to be the most effective and economically viable dose of colchicine for DH production. Very high doses have also responded to the doubling of the chromosomes, but the recovery of the embryos and regenerated plantlets was very poor. The doubling of the chromosomes was confirmed cytologically from the roots of the regenerated plantlets. The results of this study not only enhanced the production efficiency of DHs but also saved the time and energy required for the chromosome doubling in the haploid embryo-regenerated plantlets. These results bear far-reaching implications in the accelerated genetic upgradation of bread wheat and development of homozygous populations for mapping of targeted genes. © 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.