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In vivo karyotypic modifications following spontaneous cell fusion in maize ( Zea mays L.)

1985; NRC Research Press; Volume: 27; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1139/g85-085

0008-4093

John P. Peeters, Anthony Griffiths, Garrison Wilkes,

Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals

Spontaneous cell fusion has been detected during meiosis of pollen mother cells in a Himalayan popcorn called Sikkim Primitive. In postfusion meiotic cells one of the chromosome complements was often found to undergo modification producing a range of outcomes including aneuploidy and the formation of cells with modified supernumerary chromosomes. These abnormalities have been followed through three generations and new karyotypes containing modified supernumerary chromosomes were recovered in the F 1 and F 2 following the abnormal meiosis. These inherited additional chromosomes presumably arose from the cell fusions of the pollen mother cells and therefore our observations may indicate a natural mechanism for the formation of accessory chromosomes.Key words: spontaneous cell fusion, accessory chromosomes, Zea mays.