C. A. Naranjo

Cytogenetic studies in the genus Zea. 2. Colchicine-induced multivalents.

SummaryPremeiotic colchicine treatment brings about the production of one to five quadrivalents in Zea mays ssp. mays (maize, 2n=20) and an increase in the number of quadrivalents from five to ten in Zea perennis (2n=40). The results confirm the allotetraploid nature of maize and suggest that the species possesses two homoeologous genomes (A2A2 B2B2) that fail to pair, probably due to the presence of Ph-like genes. Moreover, the autoallooctoploid nature of Zea perennis, with a genome formula A′1A′1 A″1A″1 C1C1 C2C2, is supported by the present results.

Cytogenetic studies in the genus Zea : 1. Evidence for five as the basic chromosome number.

SummaryNew cytological evidence supporting x = 5 as the basic chromosome number of the genus Zea has been obtained as a consequence of our analysis of the meiotic configurations of Zea mays ssp. mays, Z. diploperennis, Z. perennis and of four F1 artificial interspecific hybrids. Z. mays ssp. mays (2n = 20) presents regular meiosis with 10 bivalents (II) and is considered here as a typical allotetraploid (A2A2B2B2). In Z. diploperennis (2n = 20) 10II are formed in the majority of the cells, but the formation of 1III + 8II + 1I or 1III + 711 + 3I in 4% of the cells would indicate its segmental allotetraploid nature (A1A1B1B1). Z. perennis (2n = 40) had 5IV + 10II in 55% of the cells and would be considered as an auto-allooctoploid (A′1A′1A′1A′1C1C1C2C2). Z. diploperennis x Z. mays ssp. mays (2n = 20) presents 10II in ca. 70% of the cells and no multivalents are formed. In the two 2n = 30 hybrids (Z. mays ssp. mays x Z. perennis and Z. diploperennis x Z. perennis) the most frequent meiotic configuration was 5III + 5II + 5I and in 2n = 40 hybrid (Z. diploperennis x Z. perennis) was 5IV + 10II. Moreover, secondary association was observed in the three abovementioned tetraploid taxa (2n = 20) where one to five groups of two bivalents each at diakinesis-metaphase I was formed showing the affinities between homoeologous genomes. The results, as a whole, can be interpreed by assuming a basic x = 5 in this polyploid complex. The main previous contributions that support this working hypothesis are reviewed and its phylogenetic implications studied are discussed.

Localization of the genes controlling B chromosome transmission rate in maize (Zea mays ssp. mays, Poaceae)

In previous papers we found that the frequency of B chromosomes in native races of maize varies considerably in different populations. Moreover, we found genotypes that control high and low transmission rates (TR) of B chromosomes in the Pisingallo race. In the present work crosses were made to determine whether the genes controlling B-TR are located on the normal chromosome set (As) or on the B chromosomes (Bs). We made female f.0B × male m.2B crosses between and within high (H) and low (L) B-TR groups. The Bs were transmitted on the male side in all cases. The mean B-TR from the progeny of f.0B (H) × m.2B (H) and f.0B (H) × m.2B (L) crosses was significantly higher than that from f.0B (L) × m.2B (L) and f.0B (L) × m.2B (H) crosses. The results show that the B-TR of the crosses corresponds to the H or L B-TR of the 0B female parents irrespective of the Bs of the male parent. This indicates that B-TR is genetically controlled by the 0B female parent and that these genes are located on the A chromosomes.

Genomic affinities between maize and Zea perennis using classical and molecular cytogenetic methods (GISH–FISH)

In this study we have analysed and compared the genomic composition, meiotic behaviour, and meiotic affinities of Zea perennis and Zea mays ssp. mays. To do so we studied the parental taxa and the interspecific hybrid Zea perennis × Zea mays ssp. mays, using classical cytogenetic methods, as well as GISH and FISH. GISH enabled us to recognize the genomic source of each chromosome involved in the meiotic configurations of this hybrid, and established the genomic affinities between their parental species. The results obtained here reinforce the hypothesis of the amphiploid origin of Zea perennis and, together with previous research, indicate that the chromosomes with divergent repetitive sequences in maize and Zea luxurians could be the remnants of a relict parental genome not shared with Zea perennis.

Nucleolar organizer activity and competition in Tricepiro Don Rene INTA, a synthetic forage crop

Abstract The nucleolar organizer activity and the presence of rDNA zones were studied in Tricepiro Don René INTA, a synthetic forage crop (2n=42,6x, AABBRR with introgression of Thinopyrum in 6A chromosome). The use of pTa71 probe revealed the presence of six rDNA zones but Ag-NOR indicated the presence of only four NORs (nucleolus organizer regions). Differential amphiplasty phenomenon could explain the inactivity of some rDNA zones. Simultaneous use of FISH (pTa71 probe) and DAPI banding analysis indicated that the chromosomes with rDNA zones belong to two rye and to four wheat chromosomes. The maximum number of nucleoli observed in somatic cells and the number of chromosomes with secondary constrictions agreed with the four active NORs detected with the Ag-staining method. The use of the pSc119.2 probe allowed to recognize that chromosomes with secondary constrictions are the wheat chromosomes IB and 6 B. The results obtained using classical and molecular cytogenetics lead us to conclude that this crop has a similar behavior to that observed in hexaploid triticales in relation to the phenomenon of amphiplasty. Furthermore, the complexity of genetic interactions between wheat and rye genomes described in triticales, are not modified by the presence of Thinopyron introgression in Tricepiro Don René INTA.