EN
The cleared-ovule technique was evaluated for rapid examination of early embryo development in selfed (barley, wheat) and crossed (barley x rye and reciprocal barley x wheat) material. The pistils were fixed in FAA and the isolated ovules were cleared in methyl salicylate. The development of embryos and endosperm were observed at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after pollination. The embryo development rate in barley x rye crosses was mostly similar but in some cases delayed or slightly faster than in control mother cultivars. In contrast to barley x rye crosses, in the reciprocal barley x wheat crosses the frequency of embryos was lower. The study shows that the technique of cleared-ovule in methyl salicylate may be applied for rapid assessment of early embryo and endosperm development in cereal plants. In comparison with traditional sectioning methods the clear ovule technique is simpler, more efficient and quicker.