The effect of telomeric heterochromatin on the frequency of aneuploids in triticale (× Triticosecale)

Abstract

The relationship between the frequency of aneuploids and blocks of telomeric heterochromatin on rye (Secale cereale L.) chromosomes in a triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) background was investigated. Lines with or without blocks of telomeric heterochromatin were examined to determine the percentage of aneuploid progeny. The results showed that the amount of telomeric heterochromatin present on rye chromosomes 4R and 6R had little effect (2%) on lowering the proportion of aneuploids. When rye chromosome pair 2R was replaced by wheat chromosome 2D in the presence of chromosomes 4R and 6R lacking heterochromatin, the percentage of aneuploids increased slightly (2.7%) over that found in the control population.