Apomixis and sexuality in the Potentilla argentea complex III. Euploid and aneuploid derivatives (including trisomics) of some apomictic biotypes

Abstract

Three apomictic biotypes belonging to the Potentilla argentea complex formed the basis of this investigation, one of them diploid, one tetraploid and one hexaploid. The effects of chromosome doubling and other changes in chromosome number were studied. Hybrids between the same biotypes were discussed in a previous paper. The diploid was a facultative apomict, but autotetraploids produced by colchicine treatment were totally sexual. This was also true of autotriploids, probably also of trisomics and other aneuploids. Five out of seven possible primary trisomics were obtained; they were morphologically well separated from each other and from the diploid. As shown by the result of test-crosses, facultative apomixis was restored in “recombined diploids” in progenies from triploids and trisomics. This indicates that apomixis is partly dependent on homozygosity for recessive genes, but that also the degree of ploidy as well as chromosomal and genic balance directly influence the mode of reproduction. — In the more strictly apomictic tetraploid (2n= 28) biotype, unreduced egg cells were fertilized in exceptional cases, whereas the chromosome-doubled plants formed some aberrants by fertilization of reduced egg cells. However, an “autotriploid” (2n= 42) formed half of its offspring by fertilization of unreduced and reduced egg cells. Aberrants with 2n= 35 and 2n= 63 were obligate apomicts. — The hexaploid was obligately apomictic, whereas the poorly fertile plants resulting from chromosome doubling gave rise to one plant with further increased chromosome number; thus, even here apomixis was interfered with to some extent. — The concluding discussion also deals with problems of mitotic and meiotic instability, crossing barriers in pseudogamous taxa, and viewpoints on the mechanisms and regulation of apomixis.