Diploid-like meiotic behavior in synthesized amphiploids of the genus Glycine Willd. subgenus Glycine

Abstract

Six amphiploids consisting of one allotetraploid (2n = 4x = 80), four allohexaploids (2n = 6x = 120), and one allooctoploid (2n = 8x = 160) were synthesized by doubling the chromosomes of F1 interspecific hybrids of the following parents: one diploid (Glycine latifolia 2n = 2x = 40 × G. clandestina, short pod (Sp), 2n = 2x = 40); four triploids (G. clandestina, Sp, 2n = 2x = 40 × G. tabacina 2n = 4x = 80), (G. tabacina 2n = 4x = 80 × G. canescens 2n = 2x = 40), (G. tomentella2n = 4x = 80 × G. canescens 2n = 2x = 40 and its reciprocal); and one tetraploid (G. tomentella2n = 4x = 80 × G. tabacina 2n = 4x = 80). Chromosomal chimerism was observed in the C1 generation. Pod set was recorded in all the colchicine-treated hybrids except in the tetraploid hybrid of G. tomentella × G. tabacina. In C2 generation plants, chromosomal instability was noticed only in the allohexaploid of G. tabacina × G. canescens. All of the amphiploids showed diploid-like meiosis in the majority of the sporocytes and did not exhibit expected multivalent associations, a classical example of allopolyploidy. This was attributed to strong preferential pairing between homologous chromosomes which may be under genetic control.Key words: Glycine, synapsis, interspecific hybrids.