To improve haploid plant production in durum wheat, the haplomethod involving intergeneric crossing with maize followed by embryo rescue was used. The influence of parental genotypes and various experimental factors were studied. Ten cultivars of Triticum turgidum ssp. durum (female parent) were crossed with eight genotypes of Zea mays. After pollination, plant stems were either maintained in situ or cut near the base and kept in a 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D)‐sucrose solution. Ten to 18 days after pollination, embryos were excised from developed ovaries and cultured on one of MS, MS/2, or B5 media. Haploid embryos and plants were obtained (78 green haploid plants regenerated in 0 year). The wheat genotype was significant for ovary development, embryo and plant formation, whereas the maize genotype was significant only for embryo formation. Detailed results of all crosses showed the best crossing partner for each wheat genotype. Cutting the plant stems after pollination gave better results than maintaining them in situ. The optimal stage for embryo rescue was 14 days and B5 and MS/2 media were more efficient than MS for embryo culture.

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