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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Crop Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #120509
Title: CLASSIFICATION OF APOMIXIS FOR GENETIC MAPPING STUDIES

Author
item Burson, Byron
item JESSUP, R - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item HUSSEY, M - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: International Symposium on Molecular Breeding of Forage Crops Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cloning the gene(s) controlling apomictic reproduction in plants has received considerable attention over the past several years. This increased interest in apomixis has cast scientists who have never worked with this unique reproductive trait into a position where it is necessary to identify apomictic plants and accurately classify the reproductive behavior of individuals in segregating populations. Unfortunately, severa less arduous and non-reliable methods have been advocated and used to classify segregating populations. One trait that has been promoted is fertility as measured by seed-set. The most reliable approach to determine method of reproduction is 1) to microscopically observe the development of the female gametophyte and 2) to grow progeny in a field nursery and observe morphological uniformity (progeny test). We are mapping the gene(s) controlling apomixis in buffelgrass. The segregating population used had been classified for method of reproduction by thorough histological observations of female gametophyte development and progeny testing. Seed set data is available for each individual in the population and will also be used to classify the method of reproduction. The results using the two classification methods will be compared to determine if the apomixis locus is flanked by the same genetic markers.