Characterization of interspecific hybrids between Tilletia controversa andT-bromi

Tilletia controversa was hybridized with T. bromi and T. laevis in wheat pl ants under greenhouse conditions. Teliospore morphology, germination rate a nd segregation of RAPD markers confirmed the identity of the F-1 progeny as interspecific hybrids. The T. controversa X T. bromi hybrids exhibited red uced basidiospore fusion and pathogenicity, and a high rate of basidiospore mortality relative to the parental lines and T. controversa X T. laevis hy brids. Distortion observed in the segregation of RAPD markers in ir: contro versa X T. bromi hybrids, but not in T. controversa X T. laevis hybrids, ma y be due to greater overall differences between the genomes of T. controver sa and T. bromi relative to T. controversa and T. laevis. Tilletia controve rsa has limited sexual compatibility with T. bromi but their hybrids are no t likely to survive under natural conditions.