Genetic control of meiotic pairing in rye

Abstract

Meiotic pairing in euploid rye-triticale hybrids (ABRR, 2n = 28) is compared with that in three hypoaneuploid ABRR hybrids, two with 2n = 26 chromosomes and one with 2n = 27, also obtained from the cross triticale by rye. The results show that the application of hypoaneuploidy compensated by homoeologous chromosomes is useful in the study of genetic control of meiotic pairing in diploid species. The aneuploid with In = 27 chromosomes was identified as mono-5R by C-banding; its meiotic pairing indicated that chromosome 5R of rye is a strong promoter of homologous rye pairing and is also able to influence non-homologous (probably homoeologous) wheat chromosome pairing. This result reinforces Feldman’s (1968) view that the Ph locus of hexaploid wheat arose by mutation of a promoter gene. © 1982 The Genetical Society of Great Britain.