Genetic variability for anther length, pollen production and anther extrusion in four exotic lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A good pollinator for hybrid wheat production should possess high pollen productivity and ability to extrude anthers in addition to favourable combining ability and fertility restoration properties. Anther length, efficiency of pollen production, and intensity of anther extrusion were studied in four exotic restorer lines of spring wheat. The lines significantly differed in size of anthers, number of pollen grains/anther and per cent of anther extruded. Correlation coefficient between anther length and number of pollen grains/anther was significant (r = 0.97), while nonsignificant negative correlation (r = -0.05) was observed between anther length and anther extrusion percentage. The knowledge that genotypes with large anthers also produce many pollen grains per anther facilitates the selection of a high pollen donor.