Abstract

Introgression of genetic material from wheat wild relatives into the common wheat genome remains important. This is a natural and inexhaustible source of enrichment of the wheat gene pool with genes that improve wheat’s adaptive potential. In bread wheat (T. aestivum L.) breeding, introgression of useful genes via intergeneric hybridization is a powerful strategy for improving the crop productivity. Ae. umbellulata shows great potential in terms of useful traits; however, little is known about the cytogenetic and agronomic characteristics of intergeneric hybrids between these two species. Here, we examine the cytogenetic and agronomic characteristics and relationships between the two in intergeneric F1 hybrids between bread wheat line - 171ACS and Ae. umbellulata originated and collected from Azerbaijan and their morphological characteristics. Meiotic analysis showed in F1 plants have 28 chromosomes, as expected. The fertility of the hybrids was low. FISH identification of the chromosomes of the F3 hybrid plant belonging to the combination 171ACS × Ae. umbellulata and observed 1U and 5U chromosomes of Ae umbellulata. This information on intergeneric F1 hybrids between bread wheat line and Ae. umbellulata will contribute to effective utilization of Ae. umbellulata in bread wheat breeding.