Interspecific cross between Durum Wheat and Aegilops geniculata to transfer resistance to Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor Say.)

Abstract

Interspecific cross between Durum Wheat and Aegilops geniculata to transfer resistance to Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor Say.). Interspecific crosses between durum wheat (Triticum durum) and accessions of Aegilops geniculata were initiated the first year of the present program. Only those accessions that were resistant to Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor Say.) were used with the objective to transfer the resistance to wheat. Embryo rescue of immature hybrid seeds was necessary. Two hybrids between T. durum and A. geniculata were produced and planted in the field the second year. They presented intermediate traits between their two parents and produced a progeny after selfing or backcrossing. Meiotic analysis of the pollen mother cells showed low pairing between parental chromosomes in the hybrids.