Identification of a diploidizing genotype of Lolium multiflorum

Abstract

Thirty diploid populations of Lolium multiflorum were screened for genes that were capable of modifying meiosis in species hybrids. A standard genotype of L. temulentum was used as the tester species. Modified pairing at first metaphase of meiosis was identified in some of the hybrid progeny of a single plant from a population from Uruguay and also in one from Portugal. Evidence is presented to show that the high incidence of univalents in diploid hybrids of L. temulentum × L. multiflorum from Uruguay was due to the suppression of homoeologous chromosome association only. A proportion of equivalent triploid and tetraploid hybrids had an excess of bivalents at first metaphase of meiosis. This was confirmed by comparison of the observed meiotic data with that expected from three separate mathematical models. It is concluded that this single plant from the Uruguayan population was heterozygous for genes that suppress chiasmate association of homoeologous chromosomes.Key words: interspecific hybrid, Lolium, chromosome pairing.