Genetic and cytogenetic analyses of the A genome of Triticum monococcum. I. Cytology, breeding behaviour, fertility, and morphology of induced autotetraploids

Abstract

Autotetraploids were colchicine-induced in Triticum monococcum and, upon comparison to their diploid progenitor, possessed the following characteristics: (i) their cells were on the average 20.8% larger; (ii) plant height was reduced by 15% and tillering by 37.5%; (iii) spikes, 1000-kernel weight, pistil size (length (L)/weight (W), and leaf size (L/W) were 53.9, 51.2, 80/57.1, and 60/26.4% larger, respectively; and (iv) they were 12.4% earlier in heading. Observed mean numbers of univalents, bivalents, trivalents (linear, convergent, and indifferent coorientations), and quadrivalents (convergent and parallel alignments only) per microsporocyte at metaphase I were 0.62, 9.86, 0.23, and 1.74, respectively; 65.4% of all meiocytes possessed bivalents and (or) quadrivalents and produced balanced meiotic products; 34.6% also possessed univalents and (or) trivalents and, therefore, produced balanced and unbalanced meiotic products. The actual 70.9% balanced meiotic products falls within the calculated range of 65.4–81.3%. Our tetraploids breed true. Evidence and reasons for this are discussed. The fertility of our tetraploids was high (79.8%). Irregular chromosome behaviour during meiosis may play a decisive role in determining the fertility level. Genic factors may also be involved. Methods of improving fertility and whether chromosomal factors alone are responsible for tetraploid fertility levels are discussed. Mature seed from reciprocal 2n = 4x × 2n = 2x crosses was shrivelled because of endosperm collapse and did not germinate. Thus, embryo excision and culturing on artificial medium was required to obtain viable autotriploids.Key words: Triticum monococcum, autotetraploid, cytology, breeding behavior, fertility, morphology.