Potential Hybridization of Genetically Engineered Triticale with Wild and Weedy Relatives in Canada

Abstract

Triticale (xTriticosecale Wittmack) is a promising cereal platform for novel bioindustrial products being developed using genetic engineering (GE). Before GE crop varieties are approved in Canada, the potential for gene flow to wild and weedy relatives must be examined. To identify at‐risk species for hybridization and gene flow, we reviewed the phylogeny of triticale relatives, outcrossing barriers, reported crosses, and occurrence of wild relatives in Canada. Presence of genes that inhibit outcrossing, genome constitution, geographic distribution, and floral structure influence triticale hybridization potential. Hybridization experiments between triticale and parental species indicate crosses may produce viable seeds, although outcrossing with rye (Secale cereale L.) is less likely. With respect to nonparental species that occur in Canada, jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host) and intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium (Host) Beauv.) should be investigated to determine if viable hybrids with triticale can occur. While there are reports of wheat (Triticum spp.) hybridization with pubescent wheatgrass [Agropyron trichophorum (Link) K. Richt.], quackgrass [Elymus repens (L.) Gould], barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and lyme grass (Leymus arenarius Hochst), hybridization with triticale under natural conditions seem unlikely.

Screening of Mangystau Flora for Wild Relatives of Cultivated Plants

“…As material for drawing up the WRCP list of Mangystau region was herbarium fund of Mangyshlak Experimental Botanical Garden, the BD-Plant-KZ database, own field researches, republican [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and regional [11,12] lists of flora, literature references [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. Due to the features of animal husbandry of Mangystau, the species, used as fodder for camels and sheets, also as local food plants, were included in the list of WRCP.…”

Triticale breeding improvement by the intraspecific and remote hybridization

“…The lines of Triticale with multiple chromosomal substituted and high productivity indicators of ears have been created by the crossing of Triticale with rye (Hao et al, 2013). There are also examples of successful hybridization of Triticale with wheat (Triticum L.) (Kang et al, 2016), quackgrass (Agropyron repens), sand ryegrass (Elymus arenarius), lemon grass (Cymbopogon) (Kavanagh et al, 2010), barley (Hordeum vulgare) (Zenkteler and Nitzsche, 1984), resulting in the creation of valuable source material.…”

Cross-tolerance of callus lines of winter triticale to complex of abiotic stressors

“…However, despite the high potential opportunities this evolutionary young crop has not yet received widespread industrial use [2]. Not enough high plasticity o f triticale varieties and breeding forms associated with limited genetic diversity o f source material needs to improve by means o f enriching the gene pool o f the crop and increasing efficiency o f breeding with various methods [3].…”