Analysis of the genitor origin of an intergeneric hybrid clone between Zea and Tripsacum for forage production by McGISH

Journal：Breeding Science

Author: Xu Yan †, Yingzheng Li †, Zizhou Wu, Yang Li, Xiaodong Wen, Xiaofeng Li, Ruyu He, Chunyan Yang, Yanli Zhao, Mingjun Cheng, Ping Zhang, Ebenezer Kofi Sam, Tingzhao Rong, Jianmei He, Qilin Tang

Abstract:

In this study, the chromosome number and composition of a novel perennial forage crop, ‘Yucao No. 6’(Yu6), was revealed by chromosome spread and McGISH (multicolor genomic in situ hybridization) techniques to clarify its genitor origin. Cytogenetic analysis showed that Yu6, which has 56 chromosomes, is an aneuploid representing 12, 17 and 27 chromosomes from Zea mays ssp. mays L. (Zm, 2n = 2x = 20),Tripsacum dactyloides L. (Td, 2n = 4x = 72), and Z. perennis (Hitchc.) Reeves & Mangelsd. (Zp,2n = 4x = 40), respectively. This finding indicates that Yu6 is the product of a reduced egg(n = 36 = 12Zm + 17Td + 7Zp) of MTP (a near-allohexaploid hybrid, 2n = 74 = 20Zm + 34Td + 20Zp) fertilized by a haploid sperm nucleus (n = 20Zp) of Z. perennis. Moreover, 3 translocated chromosomes consisting of the maize-genome chromosome with the segment of Z. perennis were observed. These results suggest that it is practical to develop perennial forage maize by remodeling the chromosomal architecture of MTP off-spring with Z. perennis as a pollen parent. Finally, the overview of forage breeding in the Zea and Tripsacum genera was discussed.