Induction of 2n pollen by colchicine in Populus × popularis and its triploids breeding

Induction of 2n pollen is a required technique for cultivating polyploid via sexual polyploidy. Orthogonal design or Taguchi Design was applied to select the best treatment process of 2n pollen induction in Populus × popularis from different levels of the meiosis stage of male flower buds, colchicine concentration, times of injection, and interval between injections. Flow cytometry and chromosome counting were used to identify the triploids from the offspring of P. × euramericana. (Dode) Guinier pollinated with induced pollen of P. × popularis. The results showed that high 2n pollen rate can be achieved by selecting the flower buds during diakinesis stage in meiosis, and then injecting 0.6% colchicine 4 times with 2 hours interval. The 2n pollen rate reached 62.10% by this process, and two triploids were obtained, which indicates that it is possible for cultivating triploids via 2n pollen induction by colchicine treatment in poplar. Results and protocol related to 2n pollen induction, polyploid identification and effect of 2n pollen in this study might be applicable in polyploidy breeding in section Aigeiros and Tacamahaca of poplar.