CHROMOSOME HOMOLOGY AT PACHYTENE IN DIPLOIDMEDICAGO SATIVA,M.FALCATAAND THEIR HYBRIDS

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Abstract
One line of diploid M. sativa, two lines of diploid M. falcata and 68 F1hybrid plants were investigated. The meiotic processes were regular in the F1hybrids and their pollen fertility was similar to the parent species. The idiograms of the pachytene chromosomes of M. sativa, M. falcata and their F1hybrid were prepared from a total of 60 cells in which all the chromosomes were analysable. Although the idiograms differed in total lengths their patterns were very similar and indicate that the chromosomes of these lines are essentially identical. Based on meiotic behaviour and high pollen fertility of F1hybrids and the idiograms at pachytene stage, it was concluded that the chromosomes of M. sativa and M. falcata appear to be homologous. It was suggested that genetical studies of the two species (especially linkage studies) can be combined and that trisomic plants produced from crosses between M. sativa and M. falcata could be used to identify the alfalfa chromosomes.