Chromosome banding patterns and the origin of the B genome in wheat

Abstract

SUMMARYThe distribution of heterochromatic regions in the chromosomes of diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid wheat shows that the B genome possesses characteristic large blocks. Though analyses of probable B genome donors indicate thatAegilops speltoideshas a pattern of distribution of heterochromatin nearest to the B genome chromosomes, a polyphyletic origin of tetraploid wheat seems more plausible.