Chromosome N-banding polymorphism in Aegilops geniculata Roth

The chromosome morphology and the variation in the N-band distribution along the chromosomes were studied in 13 accessions of the wild wheat Aegilops geniculata Roth (2n=28, genome formula UUM°M°). The karyotype consisted of four metacentric, five submetacentric, three subtelocentric, and two satellited pairs of chromosomes. The N-banding technique stained differentially all 14 chromosome pairs. The most prominent bands were observed near the centromeres and in the intercalary regions of both arms. Telomeric bands were found in only seven chromosomes. All chromosomes produced a specific banding pattern, permitting their identification. Polymorphism for presence or absence of particular bands was observed among the different accessions. The variable bands were located predominantly at the terminal and subterminal chromosome regions, and were also unevenly distributed over chromosomes. This polymorphism resulted in up to eight distinct banding pattern variants for each of the Ae. geniculata chromosomes. Each accession in this study showed a unique overall karyotype, sharing 0 to 8 chromosomes of identical banding pattern with the other accessions. A generalized idiogram of Aegilops geniculata is presented.