ABSTRACT
Pre-harvest sprouting potential was assessed by the Hagberg Falling Number Method in genetically defined octoploid and hexaploid primary triticale and their constituent wheat and rye parents. Consistently low falling number values were found in triticale at both ploidy levels, despite the high per se performance of the parental wheats and/or rye inbred lines. The genetic variability of the parents was not expressed in their hybrids, indicating severe hormonal disorders in the amphiploid. Analysis of variance revealed significant paternal and interaction effects for falling number. Significant positive correlations were found in hexaploid triticale between falling number and both grain yield and test weight. Thus, in triticale breeding programmes more attention should be devoted to the improvement of fertility and grain filling.
