A separate control for frequency and within-bivalent distribution of chiasmata in rye (Secale cereale L.)

Abstract

Six genetically different inbred genotypes of spring-type rye Secale cereale with differences in the average number and in the positional distribution of chiasmata were used in this study. The line with the lowest chiasma frequency was chosen as the female parent and crossed with the other five lines. Parental, F1, and F2 data were collected on chiasma number and on chiasma distribution between and within bivalents. Evidence for a polygenic control of both phenomena was found. Chiasma distribution between bivalents within pollen mother cells obviously follows a binomial distribution. This is effected by a mechanism that prevents the formation of a second chiasma on a chromosome arm as long as chromosome arms without chiasma remain; i.e., with 14 chiasmata seven ring bivalents will generally be formed. This mechanism causes a very strong negative correlation between frequency and between-cell variance of chiasmata. The number of chiasmata is independent of their position within the bivalents. A very close correlation between the number of pollen mother cells without univalents and the number of fertile pollen grains was found. Key words: inbred rye, genetic control, chiasma frequency, chiasma distribution, heterosis.