Effects of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid and Silver Nitrate (AgNO3) on Haploid Embryo Induction in Triticale (x Triticosecale) Following Wide Hybridization with Maize (Zea mays L.)

Background: Wide hybridization, also known as intergeneric hybridization, has demonstrated encouraging promise for the generation of haploid embryos in triticale when crossed with maize. This strategy makes use of haploid induction, which eliminates the genetic material of maize from the hybrid embryo to produce haploid triticale embryos. Methods: The study was conducted at the LPU, School of Agriculture, Phagwara, Punjab, during the Rabi season of 2023-2024. The experimental materials included selected maize genotype (PMH 10) as pollen parent and Six triticale genotypes were used as female parents (IC 642724, IC 642662, IC 642661, EC 490146, EC 490148 and EC 490150) obtained from the NBPGR (New Delhi). The study investigates the effects of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and silver nitrate on Haploid Embryo Induction in Triticale Following Wide Hybridization with Maize. Four treatment combinations of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) were evaluated for their impact on haploid embryo induction. Result: The results showed that T4 (2, 4-D + AgNO3, 100 mg/l + 80 mg/l) followed by T3 (2, 4-D + AgNO3, 100 mg/l + 60 mg/l) was significant in inducing the formation of haploid embryos, suggesting the synergistic effect of 2, 4-D and AgNO3 in promoting haploid induction. However, no significant effect of individual triticale or maize genotypes was observed on the efficiency of haploid embryo induction. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors influencing haploid embryo induction in triticale through wide hybridization with maize and provide valuable insights for optimizing this technique.