The frequency of fertilization in wheat × pearl millet crosses

Wheat × pearl millet crosses were studied to determine whether fertilization occurred and whether any resulting hybrids were karyotypically stable. Crosses between the hexaploid wheat genotype 'Chinese Spring' (kr1, kr2) and the pearl millet genotype 'Tift 23BE' gave fertilization in 28.6% of the 220 florets pollinated. Chromosome counts from zygotes at metaphase confirmed the hybrid origin of the embryos. Three had the expected F1 combination of 21 wheat and 7 pearl millet chromosomes and a fourth had 21 wheat and 14 pearl millet chromosomes. The expected F1 chromosome complement was also found in a primary endosperm mitosis. The hybrid embryos were karyotypically unstable and probably lost all the pearl millet chromosomes in the first four cell division cycles. Similar results were obtained using two other wheat genotypes. Crosses between the hexaploid wheat genotype 'Highbury', which differs from 'Chinese Spring' in having alleles for reduced crossability with rye and Hordeum bulbosum at the Kr1 and Kr...