Biochemical characterization of lines descended from 8x triticale x 4x triticale cross

Fifty-two progenies originating from a cross between 8x and 4x triticale were submitted to cytogenetic analyses and to various electrophoretic studies [high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutelins, HMW secalins, γ-secalins, α and ω-gliadins, β-amylases] to identify new genetic structures, more specifically the input of the D genome in a genetic context other than the wheat one. Markers of the rye genome (HMW and ω-secalins) were identified in all of the triticale lines, but they originated either from the 4x or from the 8x parent, or from both. Chromosomes 4A, 1B, and 2R, present in both parents, showed the same banding patterns in all progenies. Chromosomes 1R and 5R, present in both parents, showed heterogeneous labelling. The expression of chromosomes 6A, 1D, and 4D, present in the 8x parent only, was more complex with a possible involvement of a regulatory system. Several hexaploid progenies had introgressed part of the D genome, suggesting that crossing 8x and 4x triticale was a practicable approach for transferring D chromosomes into hexaploid triticale.