Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
Apomixis is a vegetative means of reproduction through the seed. It provides an opportunity to increase production, reduce production costs, simplify breeding methods and fix unique gene combinations in many of our major world food crops such as Pennisetum americanum L. Leeke, Zea mays L., and Triticum L. Genes controlling apomixis may not be present in the cultivated species but can be found in related wild species. The long-term objectives of this research are: 1) to transfer genes for obligate apomixis from the tertiary gene pool to pearl millet, a sexual species, and 2) to develop methods and principles that could be used to transfer genes controlling apomixis in other genera. Pearl millet was crossed and backcrossed to obligate apomictic triploid P. setaceum (Forsk) Chiov., tetraploid P. orientale L. C. Rich, and hexaploid P. squamulatum Fresen. Crosses between pearl millet and each of the three wild species resulted in some highly apomictic interspecific hybrids. Obligate apomixis and male-fertility were maintained in backcrosses with P. squamulatum. Highly male-fertile, obligate apomictic trispecific hybrids have been produced between pearl millet, P. purpureum (sexual) and P. squamulatum. Chromosome segregation, male fertility, and obligate apomictic reproduction of the P. squamulatum derivative and trispecific hybrids are encouraging progress toward accomplishing our objectives.
Citation
Hanna, W W. and Dujardin, M, "Interspecific Transfer of Apomixis in Pennisetum" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 22.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses2/22)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Interspecific Transfer of Apomixis in Pennisetum
Kyoto Japan
Apomixis is a vegetative means of reproduction through the seed. It provides an opportunity to increase production, reduce production costs, simplify breeding methods and fix unique gene combinations in many of our major world food crops such as Pennisetum americanum L. Leeke, Zea mays L., and Triticum L. Genes controlling apomixis may not be present in the cultivated species but can be found in related wild species. The long-term objectives of this research are: 1) to transfer genes for obligate apomixis from the tertiary gene pool to pearl millet, a sexual species, and 2) to develop methods and principles that could be used to transfer genes controlling apomixis in other genera. Pearl millet was crossed and backcrossed to obligate apomictic triploid P. setaceum (Forsk) Chiov., tetraploid P. orientale L. C. Rich, and hexaploid P. squamulatum Fresen. Crosses between pearl millet and each of the three wild species resulted in some highly apomictic interspecific hybrids. Obligate apomixis and male-fertility were maintained in backcrosses with P. squamulatum. Highly male-fertile, obligate apomictic trispecific hybrids have been produced between pearl millet, P. purpureum (sexual) and P. squamulatum. Chromosome segregation, male fertility, and obligate apomictic reproduction of the P. squamulatum derivative and trispecific hybrids are encouraging progress toward accomplishing our objectives.
