Development of the amphi di ploid of allium galanthum x allium cepa

A partly fertile amphidiploid population was derived from the sterile F1 hybrid between wild A. galanthum and a cultivar of bulb onion, A. cepa, by colchicine treatment of top sets. The new population apparently carries some resistance to downy mildew from the wild parent. Although horticulturally unattractive, it may be useful as germ plasm for vigor, hardiness and disease resistance.