Cytogenetic study of F1 interspecific hybrids of the section Helianthus

Abstract

Cytogenetic peculiarities during the passing of meiosis were studied in anthers of 7 interspecific F1 hybrids obtained by crossing annual wild species (Helianthus annuus, H. praecox, H. argophyllus) with the cultivated sunflower. The hybrids derived from H. annuus and H. argophyllus were characterized by a low frequency of aberrations (6.5-8.6%), which gives evidence of a good balance of the chromosome complex of these hybrids. The hybrids derived from the crosses between H. praecox and the cultivated sunflower were considerably less stable because of a high frequency of aberrations in meiosis (29.6-50.0%).