Abstract
C2, C4 and C6 generation seeds of autotetraploid Notch-2 barley were sown on three different dates interspersed by about 20 days each. Observations on spike fertility and related cytological behaviour were recorded. In all the three sowing dates and the three generations of autotetraploids, spike fertility was found to be strongly correlated with the proportion of cells exhibiting normal distribution of chromosomes (14-14) at anaphase I. Association of spike fertility with other characters viz. frequency of bivalents and pollen fertility was inconsistent and often nonsignificant. The highest average spike fertility was observed in C6 generation and in the earliest sown material. Early sowing led to improvement in spike fertility and related cytological behaviour. To improve upon fertility in barley autotetraploids, a need for genetic as well as agronomic manipulations is indicated.
