Central cell nuclear-cytoplasmic incongruity:a mechanism for segregation distortion in advanced backcross and selfed generations of (Allium cepa L. x Allium fistulosum L.) x A. cepa interspecific hybrid derivatives

A model is presented as an explanation for an anomaly observed in germination and establishment and isozyme segregation patterns in Allium cepa x A. fistulosum F2BC3 populations generated in an introgression-breeding program. The F1BC3 parent of these populations was selected for its heterozygous PGI phenotype, Pgi-1(2/3); Pgi-1(2) was inherited from an A. cepa (Ac) seed parent and Pgi-1(3) from an A. fistulosum (Af) pollen parent. Germination and establishment was recorded for the F2BC3 progeny population. Segregation of Ac and Af Pgi-1 alleles was investigated in F2BC3 seeds and embryo and endosperm tissue was isolated and tested for isozyme expression. A pooled goodness-of-fit test of the segregation of Pgi-1 alleles in the populations to the expected Mendelian 1:2:1 ratio using the chi-square statistic gave a chi2 = 185.9, well beyond the accepted limits at 2 degrees of freedom. The 1:2:1 ratio expected for simple Mendelian inheritance was rejected, while a pooled chi-square goodness-of-fit test of the segregation of Pgi-1 alleles in the populations fit a 1:1 ratio with a chi2 = 0.203, based on the incongruity model. We present here the central cell nuclear-cytoplasmic incongruity hypothesis to explain the observed anomalies.

Giemsa G-banding in Allium

Using divergent Giemsa staining protocols designed for other plant species, G-banding was visualized in the chromosomes of Allium cepa L., A. fistulosum L., and their interspecific (A. fistulosum x A. cepa) hybrid. This is the first demonstration of G-banding of Allium chromosomes. Differences and similarities with other Giemsa banding patterns in Allium are discussed.

Chromosomal location of rDNA in Allium: in situ hybridization using biotin- and fluorescein-labelled probe

A biotin- and fluorescein-labelled probe of Helianthus argophyllus has been used to map specific repeated rDNA sequences by in situ hybridization on mitotic chromosomes of Alliwn cepa, Allium fistulosum, a diploid interspecific (Allium fistulosum x Allium cepa) F1 hybrid, and a triploid interspecific (2 x = A. cepa, 1 x = A. fistulosum) shallot. Hybridization sites were restricted to satellited and smallest pairs of chromosomes in both A. cepa and A. fistulosum. The number, size, and position of the hybridization sites distinguish homologous chromosomes and identify the individual chromosomes carrying the nucleolus organizing region (NOR) at the secondary constriction, as well as the individual chromosomes carrying an additional NOR. This in situ hybridization technique is the first reported in a plant species and offers new cytogenetic markers in Allium.

Introgression of Allium fistulosum L. into Allium cepa L.: cytogenetic evidence

A diploid Allium cepa plant was recovered from the backcross of an interspecific triploid (2 x A. cepa + 1 x A. fistulosum) to an A. cepa diploid which exhibited both A. cepa and A. fistulosum Adh-1 alleles. Cytogenetic analyses revealed a recombinant sub-telocentric chromosome. The ADH-1 locus is believed to be on the long arm of the sub-telocentric A. fistulosum chromosome 5. Meiosis of the triploid progenitor gives strong evidence that recombination occurred. A. fistulosum chromosome 8 has been substituted for A. cepa chromosome 1.

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in diploid Allium fistulosum × A. cepa F1 hybrid onions

Procedures were developed for disinfestation of non-dormant basal plate tissue excised from field grown basal plate tissue of diploid Allium fistulosum × A. cepa F1 hybrid onions. Contamination levels varied with the season and vegetative development of plant material. Callus initiated from basal plate tissue and immature inflorescences of the F1 hybrids was maintained on a BDS-based medium containing 0.75 mg/l picloram and 2.0 mg/l BA. When this medium was supplemented with vitamins and glycine, and with proline at 2.5 gm/1, somatic embryos began to form. Their development continued on a BDS-based shoot promotion medium containing 0.03 mg/l picloram and 0.32 mg/l 2iP supplemented with vitamins, glycine and proline. Genotypes differed significantly in the numbers of structures regenerated. Plantlets from somatic embryos were rooted into BDS or half-strength BDS medium without growth substances and were successfully transferred to sterilized potting mix in plastic commercial corsage boxes.

Electrophoretic analysis of Allium alien addition lines

Meiotic pairing in an interspecific triploid of Allium cepa and A. fistulosum, 'Delta Giant', exhibits preferential pairing between the two A. cepa genomes, leaving the A. fistulosum genome as univalents. Multivalent pairing involving A. fistulosum chromosomes occurs at a low level, allowing for recombination between the genomes. Ten trisomies were recovered from the backcross of 'Delta Giant' x A. cepa cv., 'Temprana', representing a minimum of four of the eight possible alien addition lines. The alien addition lines possessed different A. fistulosum enzyme markers. Those markers, Adh-1, Idh-1 and Pgm-1 reside on different A. fistulosum chromosomes, whereas Pgi-1 and Idh-1 may be linked. Diploid, trisomic and hyperploid progeny were recovered that exhibited putative pink root resistance. The use of interspecific plants as a means to introgress A. fistulosum genes into A. cepa appears to be successful at both the trisomic and the diploid levels. If introgression can be accomplished using an interspecific triploid such as 'Delta Giant' to generate fertile alien addition lines and subsequent fertile diploids, or if introgression can be accomplished directly at the diploid level, this will have accomplished gene flow that has not been possible at the interspecific diploid level.