Chromosome 5 of onion carries major quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control dry-matter content, pungency and storability of bulbs, amounts and types of epicuticular waxes, and resistances to abiotic factors, all of which are of interest to breeders. SNPs, SSRs, and RFLPs in expressed regions of the onion genome have been genetically mapped, and we used these clones and sequences from the NCBI database to develop DNA probes for in situ hybridization to integrate the genetic and physical maps of onion chromosome 5. We produced genomic amplicons from expressed regions of the onion genome that carried both exons and introns in order to increase the hybridization specificity of the probes and to enlarge the target DNA sizes. Tyramide-FISH technique was used to increase the detection sensitivity of relatively short target DNA regions, which range from 950 to 2100 bp. Through the integration of genetic and chromosomal maps, we were able to estimate the distribution of recombination events along onion chromosome 5. We demonstrated the efficiency of chromosomal in situ mapping of exon-intron genomic clones for the extremely large genome of onion.
Diploid and tetraploid populations of Turnera ulmifolia are distylous and exhibit a strong self-incompatibility system. Distyly is governed by a single locus with two alleles. Several self-compatible variants were, however, obtained and the nature and genetic control of self-compatibility was assessed using controlled crosses. The study documented the occurrence of self-compatible variants in four contrasting situations. These included the following. (i) Self-compatibility in a diploid short-styled variant. The gene(s) governing self-compatibility interact with the distyly locus and are expressed only in short-styled plants. When tetraploids carrying the genes were synthesized, self-incompatibility reappeared. (ii) Self-compatibility occurred in a cross between geographically separate diploid populations. Self-compatibility appeared sporadically in the F1. Crosses revealed that self-compatibility is likely under polygenic control. (iii) Low levels of self-compatibility occurred in a tetraploid population. Crosses revealed that self-compatibility was under polygenic control. A small response to selection for increased self-compatibility was observed, (iv) Hexaploids were synthesized from crosses between distylous diploids and tetraploids. All hexaploids obtained were long- or short-styled indicating that hexaploidy per se does not cause homostyly. A single long-styled plant showed aberrant pollen behaviour, resulting in a moderate degree of self-compatibility. All of the variants studied exhibited either aberrant pollen or stylar incompatibility responses. In no instance was the genetic control of self-compatibility solely the result of segregation at the distyly locus.Key words: Turnera, dimorphic incompatibility, polyploidy, self-compatibility, distyly.
One of 18 Chorthippus vagans males from a natural population was heterozygous for an interchange between the L1 and M4 chromosomes when examined cytologically. Chiasma distribution within multiple chromosome configurations and the relation between chiasma formation in the interstitial segments and centromere orientation were investigated. Our results confirm previous observations that adjacent-2 is the most common orientation in absence of chiasmata on the interstitial segments.Key words: Chorthippus, interchange, interstitial segments, chiasma distribution, orientation.
The genotype at the Q locus on chromosome 5A of Triticum durum Desf. (2n = 28, AABB), a species with keeled glumes and tough rachis, was studied by either crossing the species with, or substituting its 5A into, a hexaploid common wheat, T. aestivum (L.)Thell. ssp. vulgare (Vill.) MK. cv. Chinese Spring (2n = 42, AABBDD, QQ genotype). Contrary to the opinion of previous researchers that keeled-glumed wheats always have the spelta gene, q, the durum strains studied had a hypermorphic allele, the vulgare gene, Q. No speltoid plants appeared in the progeny of the crosses, and disomic substitution lines (2n = 2) had squareheaded (= vulgare type) spikes. Also, three doses of the long arm of 5A of durum produced compactoidy. Apparently, Q does not produce round glumes in the genetic backgrounds of most tetraploids except T. carthlicum Nevski. The phenotype conditioned by Q, which is evidently present in all free-threshing tetraploid wheats, is somewhat different at the tetraploid level from that in hexaploids. The presence of Q tends to magnify the differences in the degree of expression of certain minor characters.Key words: Triticum, phylogeny, vulgare gene, pleiotropic gene, dosage effect, interaction.
Elymus alatavicus (Drob.) A. Love and E. batalinii (Krasn.) A. Love were studied to determine (i) meiotic behaviour, (ii) the mode of reproduction, (iii) the relationship between the two species, (iv) genomic constitutions, and (v) the most logical taxonomic classification of both species. A series of F1 hybrids between E. alatavicus, E. batalinii, and six "analyzer" species were developed. Chromosome pairing was studied at metaphase I to identify genomic similarities or differences. The results showed that E. alatavicus and E. batalinii are caespitose, self-fertile allohexaploids (2n = 42) with the same genomic formula SSYYXX. The F1 hybrids between E. alatavicus and E. batalinii had complete pairing (21 bivalents) at metaphase I in 7% of the cells and almost complete pairing in the remaining cells. High chromosome pairing and partial fertility (4 seeds/plant) in the F1 hybrids shows that the two species are closely related. Hybrids were obtained between E. alatavicus or E. batalinii and the following "analyzer" species with known genomic formulas: Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Love, 2n = 14, SS; P. cognata (Hack.) A. Love, 2n = 14, SS; E. lanceolatus (Scribn. &Smith) Gould, 2n = 28, SSHH; E. trachycaulus1 (Link) Gould ex Shinners, 2n = 28, SSHH; E. mutabilis (Drob.) Tzvelev, 2n = 28, SSHH; and E. drobovii (Nevski) Tzvelev, 2n = 42, SSHHYY. Chromosome pairing in this series of hybrids demonstrated that E. alatavicus and E. batalinii contain an S and probably a Y genome plus an unknown genome, X, that may have been derived from Psathryostachys huashanica Keng or from Agropyron. Elymus alatavicus and E. batalinii are correctly classified in the genus Elymus.Key words: cytotaxonomy, Agropyron, meiosis, chromosome.
