GIBBERELLIC-ACID PLUS 2,4-D IMPROVES SEED QUALITY IN HORDEUM-VULGARE L X H-BULBOSUM L CROSSES

Doubled haploid production from crosses between barley (Hordeum vulgar e L.) and H. bulbosum L. is a well established technique for inducing homozygosity. One problem which occurs using certain barley cultivars is premature seed degeneration. In this paper, a post-pollination spra y of gibberellic acid and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid that delays t he onset of senescence is described. The technique improved the number of high quality seeds to more than 75 % of the seed set. This improve ment should result in increased survival of embryos for culture and su bsequent plant regeneration.