Description

Ploidy in various generic Lolium - Festuca progenies were assessed by flow cytometry and compared to conventional chromosome counting. In non-segregating triploid and tetraploid progenies, the cytometer estimated so accurately the level of plant ploidy that chromosomes counting would be no use. In segregant progenies, all the tetraploid plants according to the cytometer had effectively 28 chromosomes. Among the triploid and pentaploid plants detected by the cytometer, 40% of the plants were tetraploid. They represented only 29% of the progeny which must be counted. The flow cytometry can be used in routine interspecific breeding programmes. Conventional chromosome counting should be used only for a few plants. Cytometry is more simple and less time consuming than chromosome counting.

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Use of Flow Cytometer in Breeding Festuca x Lolium Hybrids

Ploidy in various generic Lolium - Festuca progenies were assessed by flow cytometry and compared to conventional chromosome counting. In non-segregating triploid and tetraploid progenies, the cytometer estimated so accurately the level of plant ploidy that chromosomes counting would be no use. In segregant progenies, all the tetraploid plants according to the cytometer had effectively 28 chromosomes. Among the triploid and pentaploid plants detected by the cytometer, 40% of the plants were tetraploid. They represented only 29% of the progeny which must be counted. The flow cytometry can be used in routine interspecific breeding programmes. Conventional chromosome counting should be used only for a few plants. Cytometry is more simple and less time consuming than chromosome counting.