GENETICS OF IN-VITRO ORGANOGENESIS AND PRECOCIOUS GERMINATION OF WHEAT EMBRYOS

The genetic bases of in vitro organogenesis and precocious germination of embryos in immature wheat embryo culture were investigated using s ix Brazilian genotypes and their Fl, F2, BC1F1 and BC2F1 generations i n a generation means analysis. Four parents and one set of Fl's were a lso analyzed in a diallel experiment. The results indicated a complex gene action controlling both traits, with additive, dominant and epist atic effects. High broad sense heritability values were found, indicat ing genetic determination. Considering the complexity of gene control, genetic gain could be achieved by selecting for the traits in advance d generations of the segregating population. Low correlation values be tween organogenesis, precocious germination, regeneration and somatic embryogenesis (data shown in a precious report) indicated the possibil ity of obtaining recombinant genotypes.