Hybrid necrosis in wheat causing seedling lethality is caused by two dominant complementary genes Ne1 and Ne2 (Zeven 1966). These genes are widely distributed in wheat germplasm throughout the world (Zeven 1973; Tsunewaki and Nakai 1974). The presence of these genes limits the hybridization between the Ne1 and Ne2 carriers (Hermsen 1963). Therefore, cataloguing the information about necrosis genes in different wheat strains is necessary for formulating effective hybridization programs. Thousands of new genotypes are developed every year necessitating this cataloguing to be a continuous work.

A total of 462 F₁'s, involving 208 accessions of common wheat as parents, formed the experimental material for this study. The parental stocks included testers like Kalyansona (ne1Ne2) and C306 (Ne1ne2) (Srivastava and Singh 1988). The parents used in the study were categorized (Table 1) as having Ne1 or Ne2 as per the hybrid necrosis shown by respective F₁ seedlings. The information generated will help breeders choose their hybridization material successfully.


References

Hermsen JGTh (1963) Hybrid necrosis as a problem for the wheat breeders. Euphytica 12: 1-16.

Srivastava PSL, and Singh SR (1988) Identification of genes for hybrid necrosis in wheat. Indian J Genet 48: 267-269.

Tsunewaki K and Nakai Y (1974) Necrosis genes in common wheat varieties from the USSR and the East Mediterranean region. Wheat Inf Serv 39: 19-30.

Zeven AC (1966) Geographical distribution of genes causing hybrid necrosis in wheat. Euphytica 15: 281-284.

Zeven AC (1973) Sixth supplementary list of wheat varieties classified according to their genotype for hybrid necrosis and geographical distribution of Ne-genes. Euphytica 22: 618-632.