Stabilization of tetraploid triticale with chromosomes from Triticum aestivum (ABD)(ABD)RR (2n=28)

F1 hybrids with the genome constitution ABDERR (2n = 6x = 42) or ABDE(AB)RR (2n = 7x = 49), selected from crosses between either an octoploid Triticum aestivum/Thinopyrum elongatum amphiploid and tetraploid Secale cereale (AABBDDEE X RRRR) or autoallohexaploid triticale [AABBDDEE X (AB)(AB)RRRR], were backcrossed to tetraploid triticale (AB)(AB)RR and selfed for six generations. Thirty-three different tetraploid F6 progenies were karyotyped using C-banding. The aneuploidy frequency was 6.6% with 4.0% hypoploids and 2.6% hyperploids. Among 71 plants with 28 chromosomes, 53.5% had a stabilized karyotype while 46.5% were unstabilized with at least one homoeologous group segregating for A-, B-, or D-genome chromosomes. The stabilized plants represent 19 different tetraploid karyotypes with six of them not containing any detectable D-genome chromosomes from T. aestivum or E-genome chromosome from Th. elongatum. Thirteen lines were (ABD)(ABD)RR tetraploids with one-to-three disomic substitutions of D-genome chromosomes for A- or B-genome chromosomes. No disomic substitution of E-genome chromosomes was identified. On average 0.58 D substitutions per line were determined. Of the seven D-genome chromosomes only four, 1D, 2D, 5D, and 7D, were present in their disomic state. In unstabilized karyotypes, chromosomes 3D, 4D, and 6D were present in their monosomic state. Among all 30 viable plants (42.3%), the order of decreasing frequency of D-genome chromosomes was 5D (25.0%), 1D (20.0%), 2D (10.0%), 6D (5.0%), and 3D (1.7%). Plants with 4D and 7D chromosomes were not viable. An increase in the number of D-genome chromosomes in the (ABD) genome is associated with a decrease in viability and fertility. Minor differences in C-banding of chromosomes in homoeologous groups 1, 5, and 6 indicate the possibility of translocation between A-, B-, D-, and E-genome chromosomes. Evolutionary and breeding aspects of tetraploid triticale with mixed genomes are discussed.