Inheritance of somatic embryogenesis and organ regeneration from immature embryo cultures of winter wheat.

Diallel analyses of F1 and reciprocal crosses among five winter wheat lines show that additive, non-additive, and cytoplasmic genetic effects were significant in the genetic control of somatic embryogenesis, shoot, and root induction frequencies as well as in numbers of somatic embryos, shoots, and roots. However, additive genetic effect appears to be most important since, in most cases a larger portion of the cross variation was accounted for by general combining ability. The results suggest that somatic embryogenesis and organ regeneration in winter wheat can be improved through genetic manipulation. Due to the presence of maternal effects, it may be critical to use a suitable genotype as a female parent in a selection program.