Bagging an emasculated wheat spike
Emasculation of a wheat spike. The spikelets are cut open, exposing the insides of the florets. This allows access to remove the anthers with forceps. These are discarded, creating "female heads" for use in crossing. The heads are then bagged, to avoid accidental pollination. Male heads are created in a similar way, except that the spikelets are cut open slightly later and higher up, to avoid damaging the anthers.
Photo credit: Xochiquetzal Fonseca/CIMMYT.
Bagging an emasculated wheat spike
Emasculation of a wheat spike. The spikelets are cut open, exposing the insides of the florets. This allows access to remove the anthers with forceps. These are discarded, creating "female heads" for use in crossing. The heads are then bagged, to avoid accidental pollination. Male heads are created in a similar way, except that the spikelets are cut open slightly later and higher up, to avoid damaging the anthers.
Photo credit: Xochiquetzal Fonseca/CIMMYT.