Identification and designation of telocentric chromosomes in barley by means of Giemsa N-banding technique

Abstract

Seven complete chromosomes and nine telocentric chromosomes in telotrisomics of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were identified and designated by an improved Giemsa N-banding technique. Karyotype analysis and Giemsa N-banding patterns of complete and telocentric chromosomes at somatic late prophase, prometaphase and metaphase have shown the following results: Chromosome 1 is a median chromosome with a long arm (Telo 1L) carrying a centromeric band, while short arm (Telo 1S) has a centromeric band and two intercalary bands. Chromosome 2 is the longest in the barley chromosome complement. Both arms show a centromeric band, an intercalary band and two faint dots on each chromatid at middle to distal regions. The banding pattern of Telo 2L (a centromeric and an intercalary band) and Telo 2S (a centromeric, two intercalary and a terminal band) corresponded to the banding pattern of the long and short arm of chromosome 2. Chromosome 3 is a submedian chromosome and its long arm is the second longest in the barley chromosome complement. Telo 3L has a centromeric (fainter than Telo 3S) and an intercalary band. It also shows a faint dot on each chromatid at distal region. Telo 3S shows a dark centromeric band only. Chromosome 4 is the most heavily banded one in barley chromosome complement. Both arms showed a dark centromeric band. Three dark intercalary bands and faint telomeric dot were observed in the long arm (4L), while two dark intercalary bands in the short arm (4S) were arranged very close to each other and appeared as a single large band in metaphase chromosomes. A faint dot was observed in each chromatid at the distal region in the 4S. Chromosome 5 is the smallest chromosome, which carries a centromeric band and an intercalary band on the long arm. Telo 5L, with a faint centromeric band and an intercalary band, is similar to the long arm. Chromosomes 6 and 7 are satellited chromosomes showing mainly centromeric bands. Telo 6S is identical to the short arm of chromosome 6 with a centromeric band. Telo 3L and Telo 4L were previously designated as Telo 3S and Telo 4S based on the genetic/linkage analysis. However, from the Giemsa banding pattern it is evident that these telocentric chromosomes are not correctly identified and the linkage map for chromosome 3 and 4 should be reversed. One out of ten triple 2S plants studied showed about 50% deficiency in the distal portion of the short arm. Telo 4L also showed a deletion of the distal euchromatic region of the long arm. This deletion (32%) may complicate genetic analysis, as genes located on the deficient segment would show a disomic ratio. It has been clearly demonstrated that the telocentric chromosomes of barley carry half of the centromere. Banding pattern polymorphism was attributed, at least partly, to the mitotic stages and differences in techniques.