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Intergeneric Hybrid Between Pearl Millet and Buffelgrass 1
Author(s) -
Read J. C.,
Bashaw E. C.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1974.0011183x001400030018x
Subject(s) - apomixis , biology , cenchrus ciliaris , pennisetum , pearl , hybrid , botany , ploidy , plant reproduction , agronomy , gene , genetics , pollen , pollination , philosophy , theology
Extensive efforts to cross a male‐sterile pearl millet ( Pennisetum americanum (L.) K. Schum.) and apomictic buffelgrass ( Cenchrus ciliaris L.) produced one F 1 hybrid plant. Investigations of megasporogenesis and embryo sac development revealed that the apomictic mechanism (apospory) of the buffelgrass parent was transferred to the F 1 . In spite of the apparent potential for apomictic reproduction, the F 1 plant was completely sterile. Cytogenetic studies indicate that the relationship of the parental species is probably no closer than the tertiary gene pool. Thus, any transfer of characters would be difficult and efforts should be limited to those traits that do not exist in the primary and secondary gene pools.