Fast-Tracking Trait Combination in Triticale Through Doubled Haploid Technology

This study aimed to develop an anther culture protocol for triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) and generate a doubled haploid (DH) population combining awnlessness and stripe rust resistance. A wheat anther culture protocol was evaluated on nine triticale varieties, with and without Trichostatin A (TSA), and tested on parental genotypes—an awned, stripe rust–resistant breeding line (AT-45) and an awnless variety (‘1143’)—as well as on ten F1 plants derived from crosses between AT-45 and ‘1143’. Plant regeneration varied widely among varieties, ranging from 0.8 to 39.7 green plants per 30 anthers (1.6–80 per spike), with an overall mean of 9.9 (20 per spike). TSA did not significantly improve green plant production in this study, though further optimisation of the application method may be warranted. An average of 17.4 green plants per spike was obtained from the F1 plants, and 1130 regenerant plants were grown to maturity, with a mean spontaneous chromosome doubling rate of 42.5%. A total of 480 DH lines were harvested, comprising 250 awned, 60 reduced awn, and 170 awnless lines. Awned and reduced awn lines were discarded, and 114 awnless lines were advanced for field evaluation of stripe rust resistance and agronomic traits. These results establish an effective anther culture system for DH production in triticale and demonstrate the potential of DH technology to accelerate the development of resilient, high-performing varieties.