Meiotic pairing of specific chromosome arms in triploid rye

Abstract

From the meiotic configurations at metaphase I of triploid plants it is possible to estimate the frequency of trivalent pairing (f) at pachytene. Although the meiotic pairing frequencies for specific chromosome arms (detected by C-banding) could not always be estimated owing to restrictions of the model, a good fit between observed and expected values was generally found. One case of preferential pairing between heteromorphic chromosome arms was observed. Heterochromatin apparently does not play any role in determining pairing preferences.Key words: triploid rye, C-heterochromatin, meiotic pairing.