HAPLOID BARLEY FROM CROSSES OF HORDEUM BULBOSUM (2x) × HORDEUM VULGARE (2x)

Abstract

Ninety-seven hybrid seeds were obtained from seven crosses of Hordeum bulbosum (2x) × H. vulgare (2x), using embryo culture. Cytological examination revealed that all plants had 2n = 7 chromosomes. The vegetative characters of most of these haploids were intermediate between those of the two parental species whereas all haploids had the spike characters of H. vulgare. Possible origins from true nuclear gene hybridity followed by somatic reduction or by male parthenogenesis with differences in plasmagene activity are discussed.