Occurrence of numerically unreduced (2n) gametes in Alstroemeria interspecific hybrids and their significance for sexual polyploidisation

The F1 hybrids of seven diploid Alstroemeria species (2n=2x=16) were investigated for the production of numerically unreduced (2n) gametes and their mode of origin. Based on a survey of 17 interspecific hybrid combinations,consisting of 119 genotypes, it was found that the F1 hybrids of Chilean-Brazilian species mostly produced first division restitution (FDR) 2n gametes. These F1 hybrids were self-pollinated in order to obtain F2 seeds, which was an indication that the F1 plants also produced 2neggs simultaneously. All the F2 progeny plants were typical allotetraploids, most of which formed 16 bivalents and a small proportion formed multivalents during metaphase I stages of meiosis. Through genomic in situ hybridisation (GISH) it was proved that multivalent formation in F2plants, derived from A. inodora ×A. pelegrina hybrid, was due to homoeologous recombination but not from reciprocal translocations. In order to test the segregation pattern of the recombinant chromosomes, an F3 population from one genotype, P6C49-6, was investigated. The recombinant chromosomes assorted independently from each other supporting the hypothesis that the segregation of chromosomes in ring quadrivalents did not behave like those in translocation heterozygotes. It was concluded that in allopolyploids of Alstroemeria,bilateral sexual polyploidisation could accomplish genetic recombination by both homoeologous crossing-over as well as through the assortment of chromosomes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cytogenetics of interspecific hybrids in the genus Capsicum L.

Summary Crosses between a wild species C. chacoense and three cultivated species of chili pepper viz. C. annuum, C. frutescens and C. chinense yielded hybrids when C. chacoense was the seed parent but the reciprocal crosses were unsuccessful. C. chacoense × C. annuum F₁ hybrids were partly fertile and therefore an F₂ population could be raised; the other two F₁ hybrids were totally sterile. Chromosome pairing in the F₁ plants resulted largely in bivalents and a few multivalents and univalents. The genomes of the four species share large homologies and the role of chromosome structural changes in genome differentiation is suggested. Hybrid sterility is the major reproductive isolation mechanism.     

Production of intergeneric hybrids between a C3-C4 intermediate species Moricandia arvensis and a C3 species Brassica oleracea through ovary culture

Summary Intergeneric hybrids between Moricandia arvensis (a C₃-C₄ intermediate species) and Brassica oleracea (a C₃ species) were obtained through ovary culture. Many hybrid embryos (2.71 per pollination) were produced in the M. arvensis × B. oleracea cross, but none were produced from the reciprocal cross. Though most embryos failed to develop into plantlets directly, plants were obtained by inducing shoots from hypocotyl explants. The hybrid plants were morphologically intermediate between the parents except for the petal color. Cytogenetic observations indicated that partial homology existed between the two genomes. Ovary culture is an efficient technique for gene transfer from M. arvensis to B. oleracea.     

Restoration of meiotic regularity and fertility among derivatives of Lens culinaris x L. Nigricans hybrids

Summary The wild lentil, L. nigricans is cross compatible with the cultivated species. Chromosome pairing in their F₁ hybrids is highly irregular due to a difference of three translocations between the parental species. However, the hybrids are partially fertile and in the F₂ populations there is a marked improvement in fertility. About 19% of the F₂ plants were meiotically stable, fully fertile and their chromosome arrangement was similar to that of the cultivated species. All these are clear indications for the possibility of rapid introgression between the two species and hence systematic screening of L. nigricans for traits of economic value is fully justifiable.     

Detection of wheat-barley translocations by genomic in situ hybridization in derivatives of hybrids multiplied in vitro

Wheat-barley translocations were identified by genomicin situ hybridization (GISH) in backcross progenies originating from in vitro regenerated wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Chinese Spring) × barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Betzes) hybrids. The regenerated hybrids were pollinated with the wheat line Martonvásári 9 kr1. Five translocated wheat-barley chromosomes were recovered among 51 BC₂F₂ progeny from the in vitro regenerated wheat × barley hybrids. All were single breakpoint translocations with the relative positions of the breakpoints ranging from the centromere to about 0.8 of the relative arm length. Of the four translocations with intercalary breakpoints, three were transfers of terminal barley segments to wheat chromosomes; one was a transfer of a terminal wheat segment to a barley chromosome. Because of the absence of diagnostic N-bands, the identity of three barley segments could not be determined; in one translocation the barley chromosome involved had a NOR so it must have been 5H or 6H, and the centric translocation was 4HS.2BL. Following selfing, homozygotes of four translocations were selected. The experiment suggests that in vitro culture conditions are conducive for major genome rearrangements in wheat-barley hybrids. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Pollination systems, hybridization barriers and meiotic chromosome behaviour in Nemesia hybrids

The ability of 13 Nemesia species (six annual and seven perennial) to sexually hybridize was investigated. Six of the perennial Nemesia species investigated were inter-fertile with one another. Two of the annual species, N. macroceras and N. strumosa, were inter-fertile. Thirty three crosses were successful and resulted in viable seeds. The analysis of meiotic chromosome behaviour in interspecific hybrids indicated that Nemesia chromosomes in different parental species were homeologous. No evidence of chromosome inversions or chromosome translocations was observed during meiosis in interspecific hybrids between the six perennial Nemesia species. In the hybrids produced between N. macroceras and N. strumosa, a quadrivalent was observed during meiotic metaphase I, indicating that these two species differ by a reciprocal translocation. A successful hybridization was made between N. anisocarpa (annual) and N. foetans (perennial), producing two triploid hybrids. In the unsuccessful crosses, pollen tubes were observed entering ovaries and ovules, suggesting that post-fertilization barriers were preventing sexual hybridization. Many of these crosses produced nonviable, shrunken, empty seeds, suggesting that endosperm breakdown and embryo abortion prevent interspecific hybridization in unsuccessful crosses. The manipulation of ploidy levels in N. fruticans and N. strumosa and tissue culture of N. strumosa × N. fruticans ovules failed to overcome post-fertilization barriers between these species.     

The derivation of compensating translocations involving homoeologous group 3 chromosomes of wheat and rye

Summary The Sr27 translocation in WRT238 was found to consist of chromosome arms 3RS of rye and 3AS of common wheat. An attempt was made to purposely produce compensating translocations having 3RS and a wheat homoeologous group 3L arm. To achieve this, plants, double monosomic for 3R and a wheat homoeologous group 3 chromosome, were irradiated (7.5 Gy gamma rays) or left untreated before being used to pollinate stem rust susceptible testers. Segregation for stem rust resistance was studied to identify F₂ families with Sr27-carrying translocated chromosomes, these were confirmed by means of C-banding. Compensating translocations 3RS3AL and 3RS3BL) were obtained readily and at similar frequencies from untreated and irradiated plants (respectively, 7.2% and 9.3%). Both translocation types have impaired transmission and segregate approximately 3: 2 (present: absent) in the F₂.     

Chromosome associations and crossability with Iris ensata Thunb. in induced amphidiploids of I. laevigata Fisch. × I. ensata

Summary The chromosome associations of amphidiploids of I. laevigata × I. ensata were analysed and compared with those of the parental species and F₁ hybrids of I. laevigata × I. ensata. The F₁ hybrids showed partial chromosome associations. Their mean chromosome association per cell was 20.73I+3.63II, although the mean chromosome association per cell in the parental species was 0.09I+15.96II for I. laevigata and 0.03I+11.98II for I. ensata, respecively. In contrast, the normal association (28II) was partially restored in the amphidiploids. Their mean chromosome association per cell was 1.93I+26.48II+0.28III+0.03IV+0.03V. In this study, moreover, the crossability between I. ensata (2X and 4X) and the amphidiploids and between I. laevigata and the amphiliploids was examined. No hybrid plants were obtained from both reciprocal crosses between I. ensata (2X) and the amphidiploids and between I. laevigata and the amphidiploids. Only the cross of I. ensata (4X) × the amphidiploids in the reciprocal crosses produced hybrid plants. The observation of their somatic chromosome numbers indicates that these are true hybrid plants between autotetraploid I. ensata and the amphidiploids, and such plants can be called autoallotetraploids between I. ensata and I. laevigata. The interspecific cross-breeding of I. ensata using the autoallotetraploids is discussed.     

The origin of chickpea Cicer arietinum L.

Summary Species relationship between the cultivated chickpea Cicer arietinum and the two newly discovered wild species C. echinospermum and C. reticulatum were assessed through breeding experiments and cytological examination of the hybrids.The two wild species differed from each other by a major reciprocal translocation and their hybrid was completely sterile. The wild species C. echinospermum also differed from the cultivated species by the same translocation and their hybrid was highly sterile. The other wild species, C' reticulatum, was crossed readily with the cultivated chickpea. Meiosis of the hybrids, involving 4 different C. arietinum lines, was normal, and they were fertile. This wild species therefore can be considered as the wild progenitor of the cultivated chickpea.     

A new secondary reciprocal translocation discovered in Chinese wheat

A new wheat-rye secondary reciprocal translocation involving T1RS·7DL and T7DS·1BL was detected by chromosome C-banding and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). The meiotic configuration analysis combined with C-banding and GISH on F₁ hybrids of this newly discovered translocation with T1RS·1BL and Chinese Spring Dt7DS indicated that the new translocation probably resulted from a secondary reciprocal translocation between the primary translocation T1RS·1BL and 7D in the progenies of Aifeng3//Mengxian201/Neuzucht. On the basis of the cytological analysis of progenies and recombinant inbred lines (RILs) (derived from a cross between T1RS·7DL, T7DS·1BL and T1RS·1BL), the translocation chromosomes T1RS·7DL and T7DS·1BL transmitted readily, and appeared in most of the progenies.     

Interspecific hybrid of Helianthus annuus × H. simulans: Characterization and utilization in improvement of cultivated sunflower (H. annuus L.)

The first success at interspecific hybridization between cultivated sunflower(H. annuus) and a diploid perennial species, H. simulans is reported. The F₁s from both direct and reciprocal directions exhibited dominance of the wild species phenotype and were pollen sterile. Meiosis was irregular in the F₁ hybrids and both univalents and multivalents were observed. Multiplication of the interspecific hybrids was achieved through in vitro culture of nodal sections on Murashige & Skoog medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l^-1 benzyladenine. Fertility of the interspecific hybrids was improved by subjecting the in vitro proliferating shoots to 0.001% colchicine incorporated in the shoot multiplication medium. The amphiploids serve as fertile bridges and facilitate interspecific gene transfer through conventional breeding. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Interspecific hybridization of Brassica napus and B. juncea through ovary,ovule and embryo culture

Summary Employing in vitro culture of ovaries, ovules and embryos, interspecific hybrids have been obtained amongst two important oilseed crops, Brassica napus x B. juncea and their reciprocal. The test-tube hybrid plants have been transferred to the field, and reared to maturity. The F₁ seeds obtained from the hybrid ovaries showed normal germination, and the hybrid plants exhibited a range of variation of characters.     

Crossability and cytology of hybrid progenies in the cross between Brassica campestris and three wild relatives of B. oleracea,B. bourgeaui,B. cretica and B. montana

Summary Crossability and cytology were examined in F₁, F₂, B₁ and hybridsplants of F₁ hybrids of Brassica campestris and three wild relatives of B. oleracea, B. bourgeaui, B. cretica and B. montana, respectively. The F₂ plants were obtained after self-and open pollination of the F₁ hybrids. The B₁ and hybrid plants were produced after the F₁ hybrids backcrosses with B. campestris and crossed with B. napus, respectively. After crossing the F₁ hybrids, many seeds of the F₂, B₁ and hybrid plants were harvested. Multivalent formation was high in the chromsome configuration for the PMCs of F₂, B₁ and hybrid plants, suggesting that crossing over might occur between them. Many different types of aneuploids were obtained in the progenies of the F₂, B₁ and hybrid plants. It is suggested that different types of normal egg cells may be produced by one-by-one or little-by-little chromosome addition. The possibility is discussed of gene transfer from B. bourgeaui, B. cretica and B. montana, to cultivated plants, B. campestris and B. napus.     

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of wheat-Thinopyrum ponticum translocations bearing blue-grained gene(s) induced by r-ray

Eight γ-irradiation-induced Triticum aestivum – Thinopyrum ponticum translocations conveying the blue aleurone were characterized using molecular cytogenetic approach. The size of alien chromosome segments was estimated by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). The wheat chromosome segments involved in these translocations were clearly identified by two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with the probes of pAs1 and pSc119.2 (or pHvG38). Most of the detected translocations were reciprocal translocations involving wheat chromosomes 1B, 2D, 3A, 4A, 5B, 6B, 6D and 7A. This series of blue-grained wheat translocation lines would be useful in theoretical studies and wheat chromosome engineering breeding.     

Fertility restoration of hybrids between Solanum melongena L. and S. aethiopicum L. Gilo Group by chromosome doubling and cytoplasmic effect on pollen fertility

Reproductive fertility traits were studied in the reciprocal hybrids of the eggplant(Solanum melongena L.) and S. aethiopicum L. Gilo Group, and in synthetic amphidiploids to discover whether fertility in these reciprocal hybrids was restored by chromosome doubling. Isozyme and RAPD analyses confirmed hybridity of the hybrids and amphidiploids. Analyses of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNAs confirmed that the cytoplasm of each of the hybrids and amphidiploids was from the maternal parent. Pollen sterility of S. melongena × S. aethiopicum Gilo Group [F₁ (Mel × Aet)] was restored by chromosome doubling, while the reciprocal hybrid S. aethiopicum Gilo Group ×S. melongena [F₁ (Aet × Mel)]and its amphidiploid did not produce any pollen grains; their microspores degenerated without being released from tetrads. Hence the cytoplasm of S. aethiopicum Gilo Group seems to beresponsible for their pollen-non-formation type sterility of the hybrid. Both the F₁ hybrids did not set any fruits by either selfing or backcrossing, while their amphidiploids set fruits after pollinating with pollen from the amphidiploid of F₁ (Mel × Aet). Seeds obtained from both the amphidiploids germinated normally. Chromosome doubling has been effective in restoring fertility of the hybrids. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A biosystematic study of the origin of the cultivated diploid potato,Solanum x Ajanhuiri Juz. et Buk.

Summary The origin and nature of the diploid cultivated potato species S. ajanhuiri Juz. et Buk. was studied. Several lines of evidence indicate that S. ajanhuiri might be derived from natural crosses between primitive cultivars of the diploid species S. stenotomum and the wild species S. megistacrolobum. Morphological comparisons were made between S. stenotomum x S. megistacrolobum F₁ hybrids and naturally occurring S. ajanhuiri to investigate this hypothesis. Comparisons were also made between S. ajanhuiri x S. stenotomum crosses and the F₂ generation of the first-mentioned cross.Crosses between the two major groups of S. ajanhuiri cultivars, Ajawiri and Yari, showed not only genetic breakdown but also a wide range of phenotypic variation similar to those of artificial F₂ families of S. stenotomum x S. megistacrolobum. Furthermore, there was strong evidence showing that the Yari group of S. ajanhuiri could almost certainly be an F₁ S. stenotomum x S. megistacrolobum hybrid, whereas the Ajawiri group could be a backcross of an F₁ hybrid to S. stenotomum. These results added further support to the hypothesis of a hybrid origin of S. ajanhuiri, as well as indicating its putative parents. It is suggested that this hybridogenic taxon be retained at the species level under the name Solanum x ajanhuiri.     

Structural hybridity in the series Etuberosa of the genus Solanum and its bearing on crossability

Summary Three non-tuberous Solanum species of series Etuberosa-S. brevidens (brd), S. etuberosum (etb) and S. fernandezianum (frn)-upon selfing displayed compatible berry set but seed set varied and on an average was below normal. Also in crosses between species berry set was unhampered (apart from the crosses with short-styled frn as pollen plant), but the interspecific hybrid plants showed various degrees of sterility and a low average seed set upon selfing. Cytological investigations revealed that in pure species-plants semi-sterility regularly occurred and was invariably associated with multivalent associations (up to decavalents). This may account for the decreased seed set found after selfing and intercrossing. Meiosis in F₁-hybrids was even more irregular, 75% of the pmc's showing multivalents involving from 4 to as many as 22 chromosomes in various complicated configurations in which even numbers of chromosomes were predominant. However, anaphase I separation was numerically balanced in more than 75% of the cells. Pollen stainability was very low in the hybrids.It is concluded that heterozygous translocations occur within each species and that the genomes of the species are differentiated by means of gross structural changes. In view of this and of the high chromosome pairing affinity the genome symbols E ₁, E ₂ and E ₃ are proposed for etb, brd and frn, respectively.Crossability of the Etuberosa species with tuberous S. pinnatisectum (pnt) was slightly more successful (average 2.7 seeds/berry) than that of Etuberosa species hybrids with S. pinnatisectum (average 1.7 seed/berry). In the hybrids studied-etb × pnt, frn × pnt and (brd × etb) × pnt-a high frequency of univalents was the rule (range 6–16 per cell). In addition rod bivalents (4–8 per cell) and a low frequency of trivalents occurred (0–3 in the biparental hybrids and 1–4 in the trispecific hybrid).Utilization of the valuable characters of Etuberosa for potato breeding is dependent on the degree of gene exchange between Etuberosa chromosomes and chromosomes of tuberous species. In the diploid hybrids such exchange, though limited, may take place through bivalents and trivalents. As shown in this article such diploid hybrids are non-crossable because of complete male and female sterility. Only after doubling the number of chromosomes the hybrids are fertile and can be used for further crosses.     

Intergeneric crosses for the transfer of resistance to the beet cyst nematode from Raphanus sativus to Brassica napus

Summary The possibilities to transfer important traits and in particular resistance to the beet cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii, abbrev. BCN) from Raphanus sativus to Brassica napus were investigated. For these studies B. napus, R. sativus, the bridging hybrid ×Brassicoraphanus (Raparadish) as well as offspring of the cross ×Brassicoraphanus (Raparadish) ×B. napus were used. Reciprocal crosses between B. napus and R. sativus were unsuccessful, also with the use of embryo rescue. Crosses between ×Brassicoraphanus as female parent and B. napus resulted in a large number of F₁ hybrids, whereas the reciprocal cross yielded mainly matromorphic plants. BC₁, BC₂ and BC₃ plants were obtained from backcrosses with B. napus, which was used as the male parent. F₁ hybrids and BC plants showed a large variation for morphology and male and female fertility. Cuttings of some F₁ and BC₁ plants, obtained from crosses involving resistant plants of ×Brassicoraphanus, were found to possess a level of resistance similar to that of the resistant parent. These results and indications for meiotic pairing between chromosomes of genome R with those of the genomes A and/or C suggest that introgression of the BCN-resistance of Raphanus into B. napus may be achieved.     

Relationships between African species of the genus Cucumis L. Estimated by the production,vigour and fertility of F1 hybrids

Summary The production, vigour, and fertility of F₁ hybrids between nine African species of the genus Cucumis L. were studied as a measure of the relationships between the species. Hybrid plants were obtained from 29 out of the 72 possible cross combinations. Two F₁ hybrids died as seedlings, and 27 hybrids were raised to maturity. Pollen production and stainability varied greatly amongst these hybrids, as did fruit and seed set following self pollination and backcrossing with either parental species. The fruit shape of the hybrids was always intermediate between that of both parental species.Two species appeared to be closely related: C. prophetarum L. and C. anguria var. longipes A. Meeuse. Most other species produced highly to moderately fertile F₁ hybrids with at least one other species. C. metuliferus Naud. produced only sterile hybrids with C. zeyheri Sond. 2x. The results sustain the recent taxonomic classification of the genus (Jeffrey, 1980).     

Crossability and cytological studies in Solanum macrocarpon and Solanum linnaeanum (Solanaceae).

Summary Crossing experiments involving the various groups of Solanum macrocarpon L. complex, including wild (dasyphyllum), semi-wild and cultivars produced fully fertile F1 and F2 hybrids. This confirmed earlier findings that these groups belong to the same biological species. S. macrocarpon complex and S. linnaeanum Hepper ex Jaeger are isolated by reproductive barriers. F1 and F2 hybrids between various groups of S. macrocarpon showed heterosis. F2 superior hybrids were isolated as candidates for the future breeding programmes. Most wild-type traits like prickliness, hairiness were dominant to those possessed by cultivars. Relatively resistant hybrids to pest attack were noted. S. macrocarpon complex and S. linnaeanum are diploids (2n=24). The overall nature of the karyotype suggests that the two are related. The F1 hybrids between the cultivars of S. macrocarpon and the wild group (S. dasyphyllum) showed normal meiosis. A lack of isolating barriers confirmed that S. macrocarpon complex constitute a single biological species.