Molecular Analysis of the Triticale Lines with Different Vrn Gene Systems Using Microsatellite Markers and Hybridization In Situ

Abstract

Hexaploid triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) lines were examined using molecular markers and the hybridization in situ technique. Triticale lines were generated based on wheat varieties differing by the Vrn gene systems and the earing times. Molecular analysis was performed using Xgwm and Xrms microsatellite markers with the known chromosomal localization in the common wheat Triticum aestivum, and rye Secale cereale genomes. Comparative molecular analysis of triticale lines and their parental forms showed that all lines contained A and B genomes of common wheat and also rye homeologous chromosomes. In the three lines the presence of D genome markers, mapped to the chromosomes 2D and 7D, was demonstrated. This was probably the consequence of the translocations of homeologous chromosomes from wheat genomes, which took part during the process of triticale formation. The data obtained by use of genomic in situ hybridization supported the data of molecular genetic analysis. In none of the lines wheat--rye translocations or recombinations were observed. These findings suggest that the change of the period between the seedling appearance and earing time in triticale lines compared to the initial wheat lines, resulted from the inhibitory effect of rye genome on wheat vernalization genes.