Interspecific hybridization in Brassica: Application of flow cytometry for analysis of ploidy and genome composition in hybrid plants

Abstract

Interspecific hybrids from the crosses between Brassica campestris, B. carinata, B. juncea and B. napus were obtained through in vitro ovary and ovule culture. F1 hybrids were studied morphologically and flow cytometry was used to estimate 2C nuclear DNA content both in parental Brassica species and their hybrids. It was found that in comparison with the A genome, the B and the C genomes of Brassica contained 26.9 % and 43.9 % more DNA, respectively. This finding may be used to distinguish interspecific hybrids containing various genome combinations. It was concluded that flow cytometric analysis of nuclear DNA content might be useful tool in Brassica breeding. © 1993 Institute of Experimental Botany.