Variability in expression of male fertility in triticale (Xtriticosecale wittmack) with Triticum timopheevi cytoplasm

Variability in expression of male fertility in triticale (Xtriticosecalewittmack) withTriticum timopheevicytoplasmWe present a reliable, visual method for evaluation of the level of male fertility during flowering, that is indispensable for breeding of hybrid cultivars of winter triticale based on the cms-T.timopheevisystem. Detailed observations of anther development were performed on 20 F2and BC1plants derived from crosses between male-sterile and fertility restoring lines. Variation of anther development within florets, spikelets, spikes, and among spikes of the same plant was examined. Hierarchic analysis showed significant role of these factors in determination of anther development, irrespective of the level of plant fertility. The sterilizing effect of cytoplasm was always better visible in the tip and base spikelets of the spike, in the third floret, and the anther adjacent to the floret axis. Our data indicate that during selection toward male-sterile plants at anthesis, at least 5 spikes should be evaluated. Special attention should be paid to the development of the anthers at the 2ndand 7thspikelet of the spike along with the variability in anther development within spikelet and floret. The anthers in the tip and base spikelets of the spike must be precisely evaluated during selection toward restorer lines.