Question

Triticale is manmade species developed from

• A. Wheat and Rye
• B. Wheat and Maize
• C. Wheat and Sorghum
• D. Wheat and Pearl millet

Hint:

Triticale is the first successful commercial intergeneric hybrid in agriculture, combining the baking quality of wheat with the cold hardiness of rye.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Triticale is a human-made hybrid cereal crop.
It was developed by crossing species from two different plant genera (intergeneric hybridization) within the grass family (Poaceae).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The parent crops used to develop Triticale are:
- Female Parent: Wheat (Triticum aestivum or Triticum turgidum), which contributes high yield, grain quality, and gluten properties.
- Male Parent: Rye (Secale cereale), which contributes environmental hardiness, disease resistance, and tolerance to poor or acidic soils.
Because the initial $F_1$ hybrid was sterile due to unpaired chromosomes, plant breeders used colchicine (a chromosome-doubling agent) to create a fertile amphidiploid polyploid.
The name Triticale is a combination of the generic names of the two parent plants: Triticum and {Secale.
This crop is grown for animal feed and human consumption in areas with cold climates or marginal soils where wheat does not grow well.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (A).