Physical Mapping of a Novel Locus Conferring Leaf Rust Resistance on the Long Arm of Agropyron cristatum Chromosome 2P

Exploitation of the genetic potential of Thinopyrum and Agropyron genera to protect wheat from diseases and environmental stresses

Common wheat is one of the most important food crops in the world. Grain harvests can be increased by reducing losses from diseases and environmental stresses. The tertiary gene pool, including Thinopyrum spp., is a valuable resource for increasing genetic diversity and wheat resistance to fungal diseases and abiotic stresses. Distant hybridization between wheat and Thinopyrum spp. began in the 1920s in Russia, and later continued in different countries. The main results were obtained using the species Th. ponticum and Th. intermedium. Additionally, introgression material was created based on Th. elongatum, Th. bessarabicum, Th. junceiforme, Agropyron cristatum. The results of introgression for resistance to diseases (leaf, stem, and stripe rusts; powdery mildew; Fusarium head blight; and Septoria blotch) and abiotic stresses (drought, extreme temperatures, and salinity) to wheat was reviewed. Approaches to improving the agronomic properties of introgression breeding material (the use of irradiation, ph-mutants and compensating Robertsonian translocations) were described. The experience of long-term use in the world of a number of genes from the tertiary gene pool in protecting wheat from leaf and stem rust was observed. Th. ponticum is a nonhost for Puccinia triticina (Ptr) and P. graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) and suppresses the development of rust fungi on the plant surface. Wheat samples with the tall wheatgrass genes Lr19, Lr38, Sr24, Sr25 and Sr26 showed defence mechanisms similar to nonhosts resistance. Their influence led to disruption of the development of surface infection structures and fungal death when trying to penetrate the stomata (prehaustorial resistance or stomatal immunity). Obviously, a change in the chemical properties of fungal surface structures of races virulent to Lr19, Lr24, Sr24, Sr25, and Sr26 leads to a decrease in their adaptability to the environment. This possibly determined the durable resistance of cultivars to leaf and stem rusts in different regions. Alien genes with a similar effect are of interest for breeding cultivars with durable resistance to rust diseases and engineering crops with the help of molecular technologies.

Introgression of chromosome 5P from Agropyron cristatum enhances grain weight in a wheat background

KEY MESSAGE

A grain weight locus from Agropyron cristatum chromosome 5P increases grain weight in different wheat backgrounds and is localized to 5PL (bin 7-12). Thousand-grain weight is an important trait in wheat breeding, with a narrow genetic basis being the main factor limiting improvement. Agropyron cristatum, a wild relative of wheat, harbors many desirable genes for wheat improvement. Here, we found that the introduction of the 5P chromosome from A. cristatum into wheat significantly increased the thousand-grain weight by 2.55-7.10 g, and grain length was the main contributor to grain weight. An increase in grain weight was demonstrated in two commercial wheat varieties, indicating that the grain weight locus was not affected by the wheat background. To identify the chromosome segment harboring the grain weight locus, three A. cristatum 5P deletion lines, two wheat-A. cristatum 5P translocation lines and genetic populations of these lines were used to evaluate agronomic traits. We found that the translocation lines harboring the long arm of A. cristatum chromosome 5P (5PL) exhibited high grain weight and grain length, and the genetic locus associated with increased grain weight was mapped to 5PL (bin 7-12). An increase in grain weight did not adversely affect other agronomic traits in translocation line 5PT2, which is a valuable germplasm resource. Overall, we identified a grain weight locus from chromosome 5PL and provided valuable germplasm for improving wheat grain weight.

Chromosomal mapping of a major genetic locus from Agropyron cristatum chromosome 6P that influences grain number and spikelet number in wheat

KEY MESSAGE

A novel locus on Agropyron cristatum chromosome 6P that increases grain number and spikelet number was identified in wheat-A. cristatum derivatives and across 3 years. Agropyron cristatum (2n = 4x = 28, PPPP), which has the characteristics of high yield with multiple flowers and spikelets, is a promising gene donor for wheat high-yield improvement. Identifying the genetic loci and genes that regulate yield could elucidate the genetic variations in yield-related traits and provide novel gene sources and insights for high-yield wheat breeding. In this study, cytological analysis and molecular marker analysis revealed that del10a and del31a were wheat-A. cristatum chromosome 6P deletion lines. Notably, del10a carried a segment of the full 6PS and 6PL bin (1-13), while del31a carried a segment of the full 6PS and 6PL bin (1-8). The agronomic characterization and genetic population analysis confirmed that the 6PL bin (9-13) brought about an increase in grain number per spike (average increase of 10.43 grains) and spikelet number per spike (average increase of 3.67) over the three growing seasons. Furthermore, through resequencing, a multiple grain number locus was mapped to the physical interval of 593.03-713.89 Mb on chromosome 6P of A. cristatum Z559. The RNA-seq analysis revealed the expression of 537 genes in the del10a young spike tissue, with the annotation indicating that 16 of these genes were associated with grain number and spikelet number. Finally, a total of ten A. cristatum-specific molecular markers were developed for this interval. In summary, this study presents novel genetic material that is useful for high-yield wheat breeding initiatives to meet the challenge of global food security through enhanced agricultural production.

Identification and introgression of a novel leaf rust resistance gene from Thinopyrum intermedium chromosome 7Js into wheat

KEY MESSAGE

A novel leaf rust resistance locus located on a terminal segment (0-69.29 Mb) of Thinopyrum intermedium chromosome arm 7JsS has been introduced into wheat genome for disease resistance breeding. Xiaoyan 78829, a wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium partial amphiploid, exhibits excellent resistance to fungal diseases in wheat. To transfer its disease resistance to common wheat (Triticum aestivum), we previously developed a translocation line WTT26 using chromosome engineering. Disease evaluation showed that WTT26 was nearly immune to 14 common races of leaf rust pathogen (Puccinia triticina) and highly resistant to Ug99 race PTKST of stem rust pathogen (P. graminis f. sp. tritici) at the seedling stage. It also displayed high adult plant resistance to powdery mildew (caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici). Cytogenetic and molecular marker analysis revealed that WTT26 carried a T4BS·7JsS chromosome translocation. Once transferred into the susceptible wheat genetic background, chromosome 7JsS exhibited its resistance to leaf rust, indicating that the resistance locus was located on this alien chromosome. To enhance the usefulness of this locus in wheat breeding, we further developed several new translocation lines with small Th. intermedium segments using irradiation and developed 124 specific markers using specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing, which increased the marker density of chromosome 7JsS. Furthermore, a refined physical map of chromosome 7JsS was constructed with 74 specific markers, and six bins were thus arranged according to the co-occurrence of markers and alien chromosome segments. Combining data from specific marker amplification and resistance evaluation, we mapped a new leaf rust resistance locus in the 0-69.29 Mb region on chromosome 7JsS. The translocation lines carrying the new leaf rust resistance locus and its linked markers will contribute to wheat disease-resistance breeding.

Chromosomal mapping of a locus associated with adult-stage resistance to powdery mildew from Agropyron cristatum chromosome 6PL in wheat

The powdery mildew resistance locus was mapped to A. cristatum chromosome 6PL bin (0.27-0.51) and agronomic traits evaluation indicated that this locus has potential breeding application value. Agropyron cristatum (2n = 4x = 28, PPPP) is a wild relative of wheat with an abundance of biotic and abiotic stress resistance genes and is considered one of the best exogenous donor relatives for wheat breeding. A number of wheat-A. cristatum derived lines have been generated, including addition lines, translocation lines and deletion lines. In this study, the 6P disomic addition line 4844-12 (2n = 2x = 44) was confirmed to have genetic effects on powdery mildew resistance. Four 6P deletion lines (del16a, del19b, del21 and del27) and two translocation lines (WAT638a and WAT638b), derived from radiation treatment of 4844-12, were used to further assess the 6P powdery mildew resistance locus by powdery mildew resistance assessment, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and 6P specific sequence-tagged-site (STS) markers. Collectively, the locus harboring the powdery mildew resistance gene was genetically mapped to a 6PL bin (0.27-0.51). The genetic effects of this chromosome segment on resistance to powdery mildew were further confirmed by del16a and del27 BC₃F₂ lines. Comprehensive evaluation of agronomic traits revealed that the powdery mildew resistance locus of 6PL (0.27-0.51) has potential application value in wheat breeding. A total of 22 resistant genes were annotated and 3 specific gene markers were developed for detecting chromatin of the resistant region based on genome re-sequencing. In summary, this study could broaden the powdery mildew resistance gene pool for wheat genetic improvements.

Development and application of universal ND-FISH probes for detecting P-genome chromosomes based on Agropyron cristatum transposable elements

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a basic tool that is widely used in cytogenetic research. The detection efficiency of conventional FISH is limited due to its time-consuming nature. Oligonucleotide (oligo) probes with fluorescent labels have been applied in non-denaturing FISH (ND-FISH) assays, which greatly streamline experimental processes and save costs and time. Agropyron cristatum, which contains one basic genome, "P," is a vital wild relative for wheat improvement. However, oligo probes for detecting P-genome chromosomes based on ND-FISH assays have not been reported. In this study, according to the distribution of transposable elements (TEs) in Triticeae genomes, 94 oligo probes were designed based on three types of A. cristatum sequences. ND-FISH validation showed that 12 single oligo probes generated a stable and obvious hybridization signal on whole P chromosomes in the wheat background. To improve signal intensity, mixed probes (Oligo-pAc) were prepared by using the 12 successful probes and validated in the diploid accession A. cristatum Z1842, a small segmental translocation line and six allopolyploid wild relatives containing the P genome. The signals of Oligo-pAc covered the entire chromosomes of A. cristatum and were more intense than those of single probes. The results indicate that Oligo-pAc can replace conventional genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) probes to identify P chromosomes or segments in non-P-genome backgrounds. Finally, we provide a rapid and efficient method specifically for detecting P chromosomes in wheat backgrounds by combining the Oligo-pAc probe with the Oligo-pSc119.2-1 and Oligo-pTa535-1 probes, which can replace conventional sequential GISH/FISH assays. Altogether, we developed a set of oligo probes based on the ND-FISH assays to identify P-genome chromosomes, which can promote utilization of A. cristatum in wheat improvement programs.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Gene Expression and Regulatory Characteristics of Broad-Spectrum Immunity to Leaf Rust in a Wheat-Agropyron cristatum 2P Addition Line

Wheat leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina Erikss.) is among the major diseases of common wheat. The lack of resistance genes to leaf rust has limited the development of wheat cultivars. Wheat-Agropyron cristatum (A. cristatum) 2P addition line II-9-3 has been shown to provide broad-spectrum immunity to leaf rust. To identify the specific A. cristatum resistance genes and related regulatory pathways in II-9-3, we conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis of inoculated and uninoculated leaves of the resistant addition line II-9-3 and the susceptible cultivar Fukuhokomugi (Fukuho). The results showed that there were 66 A. cristatum differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 1389 wheat DEGs in II-9-3 during P. triticina infection. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that the DEGs of II-9-3 were associated with plant-pathogen interaction, MAPK signaling pathway-plant, plant hormone signal transduction, glutathione metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, many defense-related A. cristatum genes, such as two NLR genes, seven receptor kinase-encoding genes, and four transcription factor-encoding genes, were identified. Our results indicated that the key step of resistance to leaf rust involves, firstly, the gene expression of chromosome 2P upstream of the immune pathway and, secondly, the effect of chromosome 2P on the co-expression of wheat genes in II-9-3. The disease resistance regulatory pathways and related genes in the addition line II-9-3 thus could play a critical role in the effective utilization of innovative resources for leaf rust resistance in wheat breeding.

Introgression of chromosome 1P from Agropyron cristatum reduces leaf size and plant height to improve the plant architecture of common wheat

Introducing Agropyron cristatum chromosome 1P into common wheat can significantly reduce the plant height and leaf size, which can improve the plant architecture of common wheat. A new direction in crop breeding is the improvement of plant architecture for dense plantings to obtain higher yields. Wild relatives carry an abundant genetic variation that can increase the diversity of genes for crop genetic improvement. In this study, the A. cristatum 1P addition line, 1PS and 1PL telosomic addition lines were obtained by backcrossing the addition/substitution line II-3-1 (2n = 20'' W + 1P" + 2P") with the commercial recurrent parent cv. Jimai 22. Four continuous years of agronomic trait investigation in the genetic populations suggested that the introduction of A. cristatum chromosome 1P into wheat can significantly improve wheat plant architecture by reducing the plant height, leaf length and leaf width. A. cristatum chromosome arm 1PS reduced the plant height and leaf length of wheat, whereas introducing A. cristatum chromosome arm 1PL reduced the plant height, leaf length and leaf width. Altogether, our results demonstrated that A. cristatum chromosome 1P carries the dominant genes for small leaves and a dwarf habit for the enhancement of plant architecture in wheat. This study highlights wild relative donors as new gene resources for improving wheat plant architecture for dense planting.

Production of new wheat-A. cristatum translocation lines with modified chromosome 2P coding for powdery mildew and leaf rust resistance

Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. (2n = 28, PPPP), a relative of wheat, carries desirable genes associated with high yield, disease resistance, and stress resistance, which is an important resource for wheat genetic improvement. The long arm of A. cristatum chromosome 2P carries favorable genes conferring powdery mildew and leaf rust resistance, and two wheat-A. cristatum 2P translocation lines, 2PT3 and 2PT5, with a large segment of 2P chromatin were obtained. In this study, 2PT3 and 2PT5 translocation lines with powdery mildew and leaf rust resistance genes were used to induce translocations of different chromosomal sizes via ionizing radiation. According to cytological characterization, 10 of those plants were new wheat-A. cristatum 2P small-chromosome segment translocation lines with reduced 2P chromatin, and 6 plants represented introgression lines without visible 2P chromosomal fragments. Moreover, four lines were resistant to both powdery mildew and leaf rust, while two lines were resistant only to leaf rust.

Identification of 5P Chromosomes in Wheat-Agropyron cristatum Addition Line and Analysis of Its Effect on Homologous Pairing of Wheat Chromosomes

As an important wheat wild relative, the P genome of Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. (2n = 4x = 28) is very valuable for wheat improvement. A complete set of wheat-A. cristatum disomic addition lines is the basis for studying the genetic behavior of alien homoeologous chromosomes and exploring and utilizing the excellent genes. In this study, a wheat-A. cristatum derivative II-11-1 was proven to contain a pair of 5P chromosomes and a pair of 2P chromosomes with 42 wheat chromosomes by analyzing the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and expressed sequence tag (EST) markers. Additionally, cytological identification and field investigation showed that the 5P chromosome can weaken the homologous pairing of wheat chromosomes and promote the pairing between homoeologous chromosomes. This provides new materials for studying the mechanism of the alien gene affecting the homologous chromosome pairing and promoting the homoeologous pairing of wheat. In addition, chromosomal structural variants have been identified in the progeny of II-11-1. Therefore, the novel 5P addition line might be used as an important genetic material to widen the genetic resources of wheat.

Molecular Cytogenetic Analysis of the Introgression between Agropyron cristatum P Genome and Wheat Genome

Agropyron cristatum (2n = 4x = 28, PPPP) is an important wild relative of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L., 2n = 6x = 42). A previous report showed that the wheat-A. cristatum 6P translocation line WAT655 carrying A. cristatum 6PS (0.81-1.00) exhibited high resistance to prevalent physiological races of stripe rust (CYR32 and CYR33). In this study, three disease resistance-related transcripts, which were mapped to A. cristatum 6PS (0.81-1.00) through the analysis of specific molecular markers, were acquired from among A. cristatum full-length transcripts. The BC₅F₂ and BC₅F_2:3 genetic populations of the translocation line WAT655 were analyzed by using three disease resistance-related gene markers, A. cristatum P genome-specific markers, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The results revealed that the introgression between A. cristatum P genome and wheat genome was observed in progenies of the genetic populations of the translocation line WAT655 and the physical positions of the three genes were considerably adjacent on A. cristatum 6PS (0.81-1.00) according to the FISH results. Additionally, kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers of the three genes were developed to detect and acquire 24 breeding lines selected from the progenies of the distant hybridization of wheat and A. cristatum, which showed resistance to physiological races of stripe rust (CYR32 and CYR33) and other desirable agronomic traits according to the field investigation. In conclusion, this study not only provides new insights into the introgression between A. cristatum P genome and wheat genome but also provides the desirable germplasms for breeding practice.

Development and characterization of novel Triticum aestivum-Agropyron cristatum 6P Robertsonian translocation lines

Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. (2n = 4x = 28, PPPP), one of the most important wild relatives of wheat, harbors many desirable genes for wheat genetic improvement. Development of wheat-A. cristatum translocation lines with superior agronomic traits facilitates wheat genetic improvement. In this study, 5106-DS was identified to be a wheat-A. cristatum 6P (6D) disomic substitution line using cytogenetic identification and molecular markers analysis, which displayed higher thousand-grain weight than its wheat parent Triticum aestivum cv. Fukuhokomugi (2n = 6x = 42, AABBDD). Analysis of its backcross populations indicated that there might be genes conferring increased grain weight and width on the chromosome 6P of 5106-DS. In the backcross population, we found three plants as Robertsonian translocation lines, created by chromosome centric breakage-fusion. Among them, there are one T6DS·6PL and two T6PS·6DL Robertsonian translocation lines. Additionally, the centromeres of these three translocation lines were determined to be fused centromeres of 6D and 6P using the probes pAcCR1 and pCCS1. The development of Robertsonian translocation lines would promote the utilization of A. cristatum chromosome 6P in wheat improvement.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-021-01251-y.

Molecular Cytogenetic and Agronomic Characterization of the Similarities and Differences Between Wheat-Leymus mollis Trin. and Wheat-Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng 3Ns (3D) Substitution Lines

Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng (2n = 2x = 14, NsNs) and Leymus mollis Trin. (2n = 4x = 28, NsNsXmXm) are valuable resources for wheat breeding improvement as they share the Ns genome, which contains diverse resistance genes. To explore the behaviors and traits of Ns chromosomes from the two species in wheat background, a series of wheat-P. huashanica and wheat-L. mollis substitution lines were developed. In the present study, line DH109 (F₇ progeny of wheat-P. huashanica heptaploid line H8911 × durum wheat Trs-372) and line DM131 (F₈ progeny of wheat-L. mollis octoploid line M842 × durum wheat Trs-372) were selected. Cytological observation combined with genomic in situ hybridization experiments showed that DH109 and DM131 each had 20 pairs of wheat chromosomes plus a pair of alien chromosomes (Ns chromosome), and the pair of alien chromosomes showed stable inheritance. Multiple molecular markers and wheat 55K SNP array demonstrated that a pair of wheat 3D chromosome in DH109 and in DM131 was substituted by a pair of P. huashanica 3Ns chromosome and a pair of L. mollis 3Ns chromosome, respectively. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis confirmed that wheat 3D chromosomes were absent from DH109 and DM131, and chromosomal FISH karyotypes of wheat 3D, P. huashanica 3Ns, and L. mollis 3Ns were different. Moreover, the two lines had many differences in agronomic traits. Comparing with their wheat parents, DH109 expressed superior resistance to powdery mildew and fusarium head blight, whereas DM131 had powdery mildew resistance, longer spike, and more tiller number. Therefore, Ns genome from P. huashanica and L. mollis might have some different effects. The two novel wheat-alien substitution lines provide new ideas and resources for disease resistance and high-yield breeding on further utilization of 3Ns chromosomes of P. huashanica or L. mollis.

Fine Mapping of the Wheat Leaf Rust Resistance Gene LrLC10 (Lr13) and Validation of Its Co-segregation Markers

Wheat leaf rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina Eriks. (Pt), is a destructive disease found throughout common wheat production areas worldwide. At its adult stage, wheat cultivar Liaochun10 is resistant to leaf rust and the gene for that resistance has been mapped on chromosome 2BS. It was designated LrLC10 and is the same gene as cataloged gene Lr13 by pedigree analysis and allelism test. We fine-mapped it using recessive class analysis (RCA) of the homozygous susceptible F₂ plants derived from crosses using Liaochun10 as the resistant, male parent. Taking advantage of the re-sequencing data of Liaochun10 and its counterpart susceptible parent, we converted nucleotide polymorphisms in the LrLC10 interval between the resistant and susceptible parents into molecular markers to saturate the LrLC10 genetic linkage map. Four indel markers were added in the 1.65 cM map of LrLC10 flanked by markers CAUT163 and Lseq22. Thirty-two recombinants were identified by those two markers from the 984 F₂ homozygous susceptible plants and were further genotyped with additional ten markers. LrLC10 was finally placed in a 314.3 kb region on the Chinese Spring reference sequence (RefSeq v1.0) that contains three high confidence genes: TraesCS2B01G182800, TraesCS2B01G182900, and TraesCS2B01G183000. Sequence analysis showed several variations in TraesCS2B01G182800 and TraesCS2B01G183000 between resistant and susceptible parents. One KASP marker and an indel marker were designed based on the differences in those two genes, respectively, and were validated to be diagnostic co-segregating markers for LrLC10. Our results both improve marker-assisted selection and help with the map-based cloning of LrLC10.

Dissection and cytological mapping of chromosome arm 4VS by the development of wheat-Haynaldia villosa structural aberration library

A cytological map of Haynaldia villosa chromosome arm 4VS was constructed to facilitate the identification and utilization of beneficial genes on 4VS. Induction of wheat-alien chromosomal structure aberrations not only provides new germplasm for wheat improvement, but also allows assignment of favorable genes to define physical regions. Especially, the translocation or introgression lines carrying alien chromosomal fragments with different sizes are useful for breeding and alien gene mapping. Chromosome arm 4VS of Haynaldia villosa (L.) Schur (syn. Dasypyrum villosum (L.) P. Candargy) confers resistances to eyespot and wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV). In this research, we used both irradiation and the pairing homoeologous gene (Ph) mutant to induce chromosomal aberrations or translocations. By using the two approaches, a structural aberration library of chromosome arm 4VS was constructed. In this library, there are 57 homozygous structural aberrations, in which, 39 were induced by the Triticum aestivum cv. Chinese Spring (CS) ph1b mutant (CS ph1b) and 18 were induced by irradiation. The aberrations included four types, i.e., terminal translocation, interstitial translocation, deletion and complex structural aberration. The 4VS cytological map was constructed by amplification in the developed homozygous aberrations using 199 4VS-specific markers, which could be allocated into 39 bins on 4VS. These bins were further assigned to their corresponding physical regions of chromosome arm 4DS based on BLASTn search of the marker sequences against the reference sequence of Aegilops tauschii Cosson. The developed genetic stocks and cytological map provide genetic stocks for wheat breeding as well as alien gene tagging.

Identification of P genome chromosomes in Agropyron cristatum and wheat-A. cristatum derivative lines by FISH

Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. (P genome) is cultivated as pasture fodder and can provide many desirable genes for wheat improvement. With the development of genomics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technology, probes for identifying plant chromosomes were also developed. However, there are few reports on A. cristatum chromosomes. Here, FISH with the repeated sequences pAcTRT1 and pAcpCR2 enabled the identification of all diploid A. cristatum chromosomes. An integrated idiogram of A. cristatum chromosomes was constructed based on the FISH patterns of five diploid A. cristatum individuals. Structural polymorphisms of homologous chromosomes were observed not only among different individuals but also within individuals. Moreover, seventeen wheat-A. cristatum introgression lines containing different P genome chromosomes were identified with pAcTRT1 and pAcpCR2 probes. The arrangement of chromosomes in diploid A. cristatum was determined by identifying correspondence between the P chromosomes in these genetically identified introgression lines and diploid A. cristatum chromosomes. The two probes were also effective for discriminating all chromosomes of tetraploid A. cristatum, and the differences between two tetraploid A. cristatum accessions were similar to the polymorphisms among individuals of diploid A. cristatum. Collectively, the results provide an effective means for chromosome identification and phylogenetic studies of P genome chromosomes.