C-banding at meiosis as a means of analyzing cytogenetic structure in wheat

Abstract

The characterization of reciprocal interchanges between chromosomes of wheat in the progeny of the backcross ((T. aestivum H-53 × S. cereale) × T. aestivum H-53) using Feulgen and C-banding staining techniques has been attempted. The translocated chromosomes were studied in detail in three lines using monosomic analysis. In the F1 of the crosses between these lines and the 21 monosomic lines of 'Chinese Spring' a total of five interchanges were identified. Using a Giemsa C-banding procedure it was possible to confirm the identity of the interchange chromosome pairs that were previously identified by monosomic analysis. Moreover, a total of 12 new interchanges were characterized or identified. C-banding also facilitated the identification of the arms involved in translocations and permitted the quantitative analysis of each multivalent in multiple interchange heterozygotes. The comparative availability of Feulgen and C-banding in studies of cytogenetic structure in wheat is discussed.Key words: C-banding, meiosis, heterochromatin, translocations, wheat, Triticum.