Meiotic analysis of interspecific hybrids between Capsicum frutescens and Capsicum chinense

Nádia Fernandes Moreira,Kellen Coutinho Martins,Telma Nair Santana Pereira

doi:10.1590/1984-70332017v17n2n23

Nádia Fernandes Moreira, Kellen Coutinho Martins + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-70332017v17n2n23

Copy DOI

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to observe the genetic relationship between C. frutescens (UENF 1636) and C. chinense (UENF 1785) based on the meiotic behavior, on the meiotic index, and on pollen viability of their F 1 hybrids. For meiotic analysis and meiotic index, flower buds were collected and fixed for 24 hours in ethanol: acetic acid (3:1), and then transferred to 70% ethanol, and stored in a freezer. Slides preparation for meiosis, meiotic index and pollen vi - ability was carried out according to the laboratory’s protocol. Hybrid meiosis was regular, and 12 pairs of chromosomes were observed in diakinesis, as well as a few anomalies. The MI of 88.16%, as well as the pollen viability of 72.5%, were satisfactory. Given the results, it was confirmed the genetic proximity of these species, which are classified in the Capsicum annuum gene complex. Key words : Pepper, chromosomes, cytogenetics. Crop Breeding and Applied Biotechnology17: 159-163, 2017Brazilian Society of Plant Breeding.Printed in Brazilhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1984-70332017v17n2n23

Highlights

The genus Capsicum belongs to the Solanaceae family, and is represented by pepper and bell peppers (Eshbaugh 1993)
Wild species are considered as gene repositories, and several varieties of agronomic importance have been improved through interspecific hybridization (Hajjar and Hodgkin 2007)
Considering the importance of evaluating the fertility of interspecific hybrids obtained between C. frutescens (UENF 1636) and C. chinense (UENF 1785), and of following up with further researches, this study aimed to analyze the meiosis of an interspecific hybrid, and to estimate pollen viability and the meiotic index of this hybrid

Summary

Introduction

The genus Capsicum belongs to the Solanaceae family, and is represented by pepper and bell peppers (Eshbaugh 1993). Baccatum; C. chinense; C. frutescens, and C. pubescens (Pickersgill 1991, Moscone et al 2007). Within this genus, species can be distinguished in two groups, according to the basic number of chromosomes: one with n = x = chromosomes, and another with n = x = chromosomes (Moscone et al 2007). Wild species are considered as gene repositories, and several varieties of agronomic importance have been improved through interspecific hybridization (Hajjar and Hodgkin 2007). Interspecific crosses may allow the improvement of varieties by the introduction of important alleles, such as those which provide resistance to pathogens (Pickersgill 1997). The knowledge of the direction of the cross is essential, since, in some species, interspecific cross is effective and unique to a given direction (Prestes and Goulart 1995)

Objectives

Methods

Results