Hungaro Durum Rye—Breeding, Genome Composition and Amino Acid Content of the First Triticale Cultivar for Human Consumption

Hungaro triticale cultivar was bred for human consumption and animal fodder in Kisvárda, Hungary. The breeding method applied for the recombinant secondary hexaploid triticale proved to be effective since the favourable traits of wheat, durum wheat and rye were successfully combined in the genome of the new cultivar. The first aim was to characterize the genome composition. Multicolour genomic in situ hybridization (mcGISH) was used for the genome compositional analysis. According to the results, the cultivar contains the wheat AB genome (AABB = 28 chromosomes) and the whole rye (R) genome (RR = 14 chromosomes). The presence of D genome, however, could not be detected within the detection limit of the GISH method. Hungaro is the very first triticale in Hungary that has been used for human consumption (milling industry, baking industry, pasta production). In this study, amino acid content of flours was measured. Amino acid investigations on Hungaro durum rye’s flour showed that the quantity of essential amino acids, especially of methionine and cysteine, are higher in Hungaro durum rye than in the also investigated Ryefood rye cultivar and the GK Öthalom wheat cultivar. The genes inherited from the wheat species ensure high yield and great baking and dough making qualities. Therefore, its flour is suitable in itself for pastry and dough production (without mixing it with other flours). Its characteristics inherited from rye guarantee excellent abiotic and biotic resistance.