Characterization of interspecific hybrids of Triticum aestivum x Aegilops sp. without 5B chromosome for induced homoeologous pairing

Abstract

In the present study we aimed to characterize the interspecific hybrids made between Triticum aestivum cv. Pavon monosomic for chromosome 5B with different accessions of Aegilops kotschyi (UUSS) and Aegilops peregrina (UUSS) at cytological, molecular and morphological basis. Molecular analysis using Ph1 locus specific dominant marker and cytological analysis clearly differentiated between F1 hybrids (ABDUS) with and without 5B chromosome. Plants without chromosome 5B showed stunted and bushy growth habit with reduced height and more number of tillers per plant while those with 5B plants showed normal growth. Agreement of morphological observations with the cytological and molecular results indicates that the morphological characteristics could also be used to screen plants without 5B chromosome. The results clearly demonstrated that the absence of chromosome 5B through the use of Pavon monosomic for chromosome 5B can be an efficient way to induce homoeologous pairing between chromosomes of wheat and Aegilops species for precise introgression of useful variability.