Techniques to produce hybrid between Cicer arietinum L. x C. pinnatifidum Jaub

Abstract

Androgenesis has not been reported in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Interspecific hybridization between C. arietinum and C. pinnatifidum was possible by hormoneaided pollinations, embryo rescue and tissue culture techniques to save aborting hybrid embryos. Since the hybrids did not have a good root system, hybrid shoots were grafted to cultivated chickpea stocks. By this method it was possible to transfer hybrids to soil. Hybrid plants were fragile and were maintained in a growth room. Hybrid plants flowered only when the cytokinin zeatin (1 mg/l) was added to the sterilized tap water used to water the plants. Flowers were pale violet and cleistogamous. All of the components of the flower were present, although the anthers did not dehise. Anthers squashed in acetocarmine revealed from 4-10 divisions in many of the microspores. Induction of androgenesis is believed to be due to wide hybridization between C. arietinum and C. pinnatifidum.