Interspecific crosses as a tool in breeding Poapratensis L. 1. Poalongifolia Trin × P. pratensis L.

Summary By crossing amphimictic P. longifolia and apomictic P. pratensis fertile hybrids were obtained. In F₂ populations a vast range of types was observed. New combinations were found, which is shown by data on plant length and hairiness of the lemma. Crossing F₁ hybrids with P. pratensis gave more P. pratensis-like plants. Data on seed yield, uniformity and turf performance in later generations are given. The implications for breeding are discussed and it is concluded that interspecific crosses can be used for introducing a sexual phase in P. pratensis breeding. Non-hairiness of the lemma can be incorporated.     

RFLP analysis of Hypericum perforatum L. somaclones and their progenies

Three adjacent EcoRI fragments of the rDNA unit from Lycopersicon esculentum, eleven anonymous genomic and two anonymous cDNA clones from Brassica napus and three restriction endonucleases: BamHI, EcoRI and EcoRV were used for RFLP analysis of the genome of Hypericum perforatum L. A polymorphic band identified with EcoRI and two rDNA probes in five somaclones originated from the same genotype was detected in all progenies of two somaclones indicating the inheritance of the molecular changes. rDNA unit heterogeneity represented by two types of RFLP pattern revealed among somaclones and seed-derived control plants using EcoRV and two rDNA probes may indicate an alloploid origin of Hypericum perforatum. The occurrence of the identical RFLP patterns in some R₀ somaclones and seed-derived plants and their progenies may be related to the apomictic mode of reproduction which is assumed to be prevalent in Hypericum perforatum. The differences in RFLP patterns of progenies when compared with the maternal plants (1 out of 10 progenies of one control plant and 1 out of 8 progenies of one somaclone) may indicate that some progenies have originated through sexual recombination. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Seasonal changes in the incidence of apomixis of diploid,triploid, and tetraploid plants of Paspalum cromyorrhizon

Summary Changes in incidence of apomixis were determined at different intervals of the flowering period in a highly sexual diploid cytotype of Paspalum cromyorrhizon Trin., a natural tetraploid cytotype of the same species, and in the triploid and tetraploid intraspecific hybrids that were produced by pollinating the 2x cytotype with pollen of the tetraploid. Reproductive behaviour was determined from observations of embryo sacs in mature ovules. Gametophytic apomixis in this species in characterized by aposporous embryo sacs which differ from normal sacs by their number, orientation inside the ovule, their dimensions and shape, and the absence of antipodal cells.The potential for apomictic reproduction increased in relation to the ploidy level, suggesting a gene dosage effect in the incidence of apomixis. In the three ploidy levels, the highest incidence of apomixis was observed when the plants reached the maximum number of flowering heads. These findings suggest that the same environmental conditions that favour flowering should also be responsible for increasing the incidence of apomixis. An additional experiment under controlled conditions indicated that the light regime should be one of the factors that govern the amount of apomictic reproduction. Thus, polyploidy and apomixis should be of special significance in the dispersion and evolution of this grass species. The 4x facultative apomictic cytotype is far more frequent in nature than the highly sexual 2x. Moreover, most of the seeds produced in a flowering season should arise asexually. So, apomixis rapidly increases the number of plants bearing the successful maternal genotype, and sexual reproduction becomes important in adverse environmental conditions.     

Pollen donor impact on progenies of pseudogamous blackberries (Rubus subgen. Rubus)

A series of intra- and interspecific crosses in Rubus was evaluated with DNA markers to assess the proportion of apomictically vs. sexually derived progeny plants. The species were well separated from each other with these markers and the interspecific hybrids were easy to ascertain. Ten plants each were derived by selfing of R. hartmanni, R. polyanthemus and R. vestitus, and evaluated with RFLP. Of these plants, only one R. hartmanni plant appeared to be sexually derived, whereas the remainder appeared to have arisen by apomixis. Between 10 and 19 progeny plants, derived by open pollination of R. Hartmanni, R. infestus, R. laciniatus and R. vestitus, respectively (total of 63plants), were evaluated with RFLP. Of these, 6 plants (approx. 10%) showed as lightly deviating band pattern, which may indicate sexual seed set but could also result from experimental artefacts. The three species combinations 1) R. hartmanni and R. sprengelii, 2) R. infestus and R. vestitus, and 3)R. laciniatus and R. polyanthemus were cross-pollinated reciprocally and the resulting progenies evaluated with RAPD (combinations 1 and 2)and leaf shape (combination 3). Combination1 produced 20% (3 out of 15 progenies)sexually derived progenies, combination 2produced 100% (26 progenies) and combination 3 produced 64% (16 out of 26progenies), respectively. The hybrid progenies appeared to have been derived through pollination of unreduced as well as reduced egg cells. The ability to produce interspecific hybrid progenies is most probably dependent upon the species combination. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cytology and reproductive behavior of diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid germplasm accessions of a wild forage grass: Paspalum compressifolium

Summary Fourteen germplasm accessions of Paspalum compressifolium native from southern Brazil were cytologically and embryologically analysed. The study revealed that one accession was diploid (2n=20), twelve were tetraploid (2n=40) and one was hexaploid (2n=60). This is the first report of diploid and hexaploid cytotypes for this species. Studies on microsporogenesis, megasporogenesis, and embryo sac development indicated that the diploid cytotype had regular meiotic behavior and reproduces sexually. Tetraploid cytotype usually had an important proportion of chromosomes that associated as quadrivalents during meiosis and reproduced by mean of aposporous apomixis. The hexaploid cytotype showed irregular meiotic behavior with about one third of the chromosomes associated as multivalents and reproduced by aposporous apomixis. Thus, P. compressifolium could be an agamic complex. Breeding in this complex is possible due to the presence of diploid sexuals which can be treated by colchicine and pollinated by apomicts.     

Breeding for apomixis in potato: Pursuing a utopian scheme

Summary Apomictic propagation in potato holds a great promise for the new technology of growing potatoes from botanical seeds in stead of tubers. It is explained that apomixis results from the combination of abnormal meiosis, abnormal fertilization and parthenogenesis.An ideal scheme is given for growing potatoes from true seeds. This scheme remains utopian when autonomous apomixis is not available. Autonomous apomixis occurs when the reduction division is lacking (no gene recombination, no reduction of chromosome number) and the resulting 2n egg cell develops parthenogenetically without fertilization of the central nucleus. The first best approach is pseudogamous apomixis, which differs from autonomous apomixis in the necessity of fertilization of the central nucleus. Second best is the parthenogenetic development of 2n eggs, since these have originated through an abnormal type of reduction division. This type is characterized by the lack of formation of a reduction cell wall and fusion of the two spindles at metaphase II of meiosis (first division restitution).Apomixis in the narrow sense, either pseudogamous or autonomous, is defined. It has not been found in potato species or species hybrids. On the basis of our knowledge about characteristic features of existing apomictic species, about genetics and evolution of apomixis and about the occurrence of particular elements of apomixis in potato the possibility of introducing apomixis into potato from existing elements is discussed along with methods to induce missing elements. Some tentative approaches are suggested which in the long run may lead to the detection of potato genotypes with apomictic propagation.Edited version of a paper presented at the 19th Planning Conference of the International Potato Center (CIP) in Manila, Philippines in September 1979 on production of potatoes from true seed. Published with the consent of CIP.     

水稻多胚苗的初步研究 Ⅱ.同工酶的分析

用3个多胚苗材料作母本与早籼“金早4号”(单胚)杂交,获得了一部分杂种多胚苗。测定了母本多胚苗和杂种多胚苗的过氧化物酶、酯酶和多酚氧化酶的同工酶。结果表明,来自同一份材料的母本多胚苗的酶带是一致的,其酶量和活性却有差异。同一杂交组合的杂种多胚苗,其酶带有偏母的(极少)和中间的2种类型。前者可能是来自珠心胚的,后者是合子胚或其他的有性胚。结合胚胎学观察初步认为,可以通过同工酶分析区分珠心胚和有性胚。     

Hybridization of Thinopyrum distichum and Secale cereale

An attempt was made to determine whether the salt tolerance genes of Thinopyrum distichum would be expressed in the presence of the rye genomes and if it would be possible to improve and utilize its hybrid with rye as a salt-tolerant fodder crop. Th. distichum florets were pollinated with diploid and tetraploid rye but hybrids were obtained only with tetraploid rye. The F₁ had 28 chromosomes and expressed high levels of salt tolerance. Fertility could not be induced through colchicines treatment but the plants produced some apomictic seeds during the summer months. The F₂ had 20-22 chromosomes and retained two complete or near-complete rye genomes. The F₂ plants responded better to colchicine treatment, however, the doubled hybrids remained male sterile. In summer, one F2 plant produced many apomictic seeds with chromosome numbers ranging from 14 to 16 (primarily rye chromosomes). The mechanism that caused the preferential loss of Thinopyrum chromosomes in each apomictic cycle remains unknown. The F₃ phenotypically resembled rye, had primarily reductional male meioses and produced seemingly functional pollen, but were self-sterile.     

苹果无融合生殖砧木‘青砧 1 号’

 苹果无融合生殖砧木‘青砧1 号’是1999 年通过杂交育种获得,母本为平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）,父本为柱型苹果株系CO（Malus × domestica Borkh.）。该砧木树体柱形,无融合生殖坐果率97.0% ~ 98.1%,种子繁殖,实生苗整齐,可以直接作为基砧嫁接‘嘎拉’、‘乔纳金’、‘烟富3’ 和‘烟富6’等主栽品种,表现亲和性好,成苗率高;嫁接树抗重茬病能力强,并且成花早,产量高,果实品质优,适于在环渤海湾、黄土高原等中国苹果主产区应用。     

应用胚珠切割及子房透明技术观察无融合生殖甜菜M14胚囊发育

介绍了一种快速简便观察分析无融合生殖甜菜胚囊发育过程的制片法。通过剥离胚珠,并对胚珠珠孔端进行再次切割和分离,经过固定和脱水,用冬青油整体透明及丁香油封片,在OLYMPUS—BX51型荧光显微镜下通过荧光技术观察发育中的胚囊产生自发荧光,可分辨出胚囊的内部结构。用FPA和4％戊二醛两种固定液效果不同．后者效果更佳。