| Maize (2n = 40) x Tripsacum dactyloides (2n = 72) F1 hybrid plants (2n = 56) were obtained by embryo rescue and induction of somatic embryogenesis/organogenesis. Hybrid plants showed Tripsacum-like phenotypes, tolerance to stresses such as NaCl salinity and low temperatures. The more frequent meiotic configurations were 28II (24%), 24II + 2IV (19%) and 26II + 1IV (12%), with an average per cell of 0.55I + 25.18II + 1.19IV. Significant differences between plants were not observed. Pollen fertility ranged from 0% to 50%. After pollination with maize or Tripsacum, 20% of F1 plants have developed viable seeds, which originated the progeny. Thirty five percent of the progeny showed 2n = 56 chromosomes and F1 like-phenotypes, which suggests they have apomictic... |
