Nitrous oxide (N2O) induces 2n gametes in sterile F1 hybrids between Oriental × Asiatic lily (Lilium) hybrids and leads to intergenomic recombination

Abstract

Eight different genotypes of the F1 hybrids between Oriental × Asiatic lily (Lilium) hybrids (2n = 2x = 24) were treated with nitrous oxide (N2O) gas under pressure for 24 and 48 hours. At the time of treatment, all plants possessed early meiotic stages in the anthers of the oldest flower buds. The mature flowers from treated plants were monitored for fertility through pollen germination in vitro as well as by using them in crosses with diploid Asiatic hybrids (2n = 2x = 24) both as male and female parents. In five out of the eight genotypes of OA hybrids there was evidence for the production of 2n pollen which germinated in vitro from either one or both treatments. The 2n pollen from three genotypes was successfully used in crosses. In two cases, the treated plants were successfully used as female parents which indicated the formation of 2n (or 2x) egg cells. From an analysis of 41 sexual polyploid progenies obtained from N2O treated plants it was shown that they were all euploids consisting of 34 triploids (2n = 3x = 36) and seven tetraploids (2n = 4x = 48). A detailed cytological analysis of 12 progeny plants through genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) proved that N2O had induced first division restitution gametes in most cases and in two cases they produced gametes through indeterminate meiotic restitution. There was evidence for intergenomic recombination in three cases.