Two winter hexaploid triticale populations derived from the same cross were selected on the basis of grain appearance and agronomic performance. The five lines from 84LT402 showed more kernel shriveling than the four lines from 84LT401. The derived lines were analyzed for aneuploid frequencies, rye chromosome banding patterns, and meiotic stability to detect associations with kernel development. The aneuploid frequencies were 16% in 84LT401 and 18% in 84LT402. C-banding showed that both selection groups had all the rye chromosomes except 2R. The two groups had similar telomeric patterns but differed in the long-arm interstitial patterns of 4R and 5R. Compared with lines from 84LT402, those from 84LT401 had significantly fewer univalents and rod bivalents, and more paired arms at metaphase I; fewer laggards and bridges at anaphase I; and a higher frequency of normal tetrads. There were no significant differences among lines within each group for any meiotic character. Since there were no differences within or between groups in telomeric banding patterns, the differences in kernel shriveling and meiotic stability might be due to genotypic factors and (or) differences in the interstitial patterns of 4R and 5R. By selecting plump grains, lines with improved kernel characteristics along with improved meiotic stability are obtainable.Key words: triticale, meiotic stability, C-banding, Secale cereale, heterochromatin.