Phylogenetic relationships between chromosomes of wheat and chromosome 2E of Elytrigia elongata

Abstract

Gametophytic compensation of the Elytrigia elongata chromosome 2E for wheat chromosomes was assessed by determining the vigour of the gametophytes having the Elytrigia chromosome substituted for a wheat chromosome relative to normal wheat gametophytes. These tests showed that chromosome 2E compensated in the gametophyte for wheat chromosomes 2B and 2D, but not for 2A. The Elytrigia chromosome was also occasionally transmitted by male gametophytes when substituted for chromosomes 3A, 4B, and 6B. Chromosome 2E was then substituted for chromosomes 2A, 2B, and 2D. In each disomic substitution the Elytrigia chromosome showed good compensation for the nullisomy of the respective wheat chromosome, as indicated by normal vigor and fertility of the plants. These data confirmed that E. elongata chromosome 2E is phylogenetically related to wheat chromosomes of homoeologous group 2.Key words: Triticum, Elytrigia, phylogeny, wheat.