Genetic stability in interspecific hybridizations of wheat populations determined by meiotic index and pollen viability

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate genetic stability by determining the meiotic index (MI) and pollen viability in F1RC2 segregating populations, obtained by the crosses between wheat commercial cultivars and synthetic wheat, aimed at introgression/genetic resistance. For MI, three ears were collected per genotype, before anthesis, and they were fixed in Carnoy’s solution. The cytological slides were prepared by crushing the anthers and staining with 1% acetocarmine, and the normal tetrads and the ones with micronuclei were observed under a light microscope. For pollen viability, the ears were collected at the stage of mature pollen grain. The methodological procedure was similar to that of the tetrads, evaluating the pollen grains as viable, with little starch, with two pores, different sizes and non-viable. The pollen grain size was measured by the Axion Vision software. All the segregating populations with MI above 90% and high pollen viability (above 85%) reflected a stable meiotic behavior. About the variation in size, the CIGM90.909/BRS 179 cross showed pollen grains with 58.43 μm and CIGM93.298/BRS Guamirim, 47.15 μm. According to the results, wheat segregating populations were considered meiotically stable and suitable for use in wheat breeding programs and for incorporation of new important genes.