Cytogenetic characterization of F1, F2 and backcross hybrids of the Neotropical catfish species Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum (Pimelodidae, Siluriformes)

The cytogenetic characteristics of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum and their F1, F2 and backcross hybrids were assessed by using chromosome banding techniques. The diploid number of 56 chromosomes was constant in all species and lineages, with a karyotypic formula containing 20 metacentric, 12 submetacentric, 12 subtelocentric and 12 acrocentric chromosomes. Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) were identified in two subtelocentric chromosomes in the parents and hybrids, with partial nucleolar dominance in F1 and F2 specimens. Heterochromatic blocks were detected in the terminal and centromeric regions of some chromosomes in all individuals. For parental and hybrid lineages, 18S ribosomal clusters corresponding to NORs and 5S ribosomal genes were identified in distinct pairs of chromosomes. The striking conservation in the chromosomal macrostructure of the parental species may account for the fertility of their F1 hybrids. Similarly, the lack of marked alterations in the chromosomal structure of the F1 hybrids could account for the maintenance of these features in post-F1 lineages.

Protoplast production from napier grass and pearl millet triploid hybrids / Obtenção de protoplastos de híbridos triplóides entre o capim-elefante e milheto

The objective of this work was to obtain protoplasts from napier grass and pearl millet triploid hybrids as a basis for future studies on chromosomal duplication. Explants were taken from mesophyll of in vitro- and in vivo-cultured plants or from calli of two triploid hybrids (H1 and H2), which were treated with enzymatic solutions containing different concentrations of cellulase R-10 (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 percent) with an additional 0.2 percent macerozyme and 0.1 percent driselase or 1.0 percent pectolyase Y-23 and 0.5 percent hemicellulase. Enzymatic digestion was monitored once every hour for five hours. Protoplasts were obtained from in vitro and in vivo leaflets of both triploid hybrids, and in vitro leaflets were the best explant sources. The quantity of produced protoplasts varied according to the hybrid, the enzymatic solution and the treatment time.

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, a obtenção de protoplastos de híbridos triplóides entre o capim-elefante e o milheto como base para futuros trabalhos de duplicação cromossômica. Foram utilizados explantes de mesofilo de plantas cultivadas in vitro e in vivo, ou de calos de dois híbridos triplóides (H1 e H2), os quais foram tratados com soluções enzimáticas em diferentes concentrações da enzima celulase R-10 (0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0 por cento), acrescidas de 0,2 por cento macerozyme e 0,1 por cento driselase ou 1,0 por cento pectolyase Y-23 e 0,5 por cento hemicelulase. A digestão enzimática foi monitorada a cada hora durante 5 horas. Obtiveram-se protoplastos a partir de folhas in vitro e in vivo dos dois híbridos triplóides, sendo as folhas in vitro as melhores fontes de explante. A quantidade de protoplastos variou em função do híbrido, da solução enzimática e do tempo de tratamento.

Genetic control of Eucalyptus urophylla and E. grandis resistance to canker caused by Chrysoporthe cubensis

Chrysophorte cubensis induced canker occurs in nearly all tropical and subtropical regions where eucalypts are planted, causing losses in both wood quality and volume productivity, especially so in the warmer and more humid regions of Brazil. The wide inter and intra-specific genetic variability of resistance to canker among Eucalyptus species facilitates the selection of resistant plants. In this study, we evaluated resistance to this pathogen in five Eucalyptus grandis (G) and 15 E. urophylla (U) trees, as well as in 495 individuals from 27 progenies derived from crosses between the trees. In the field, six-months-old test seedlings were inoculated with C. cubensis. Lesion length in the xylem and bark was measured eight months later. The results demonstrated that xylem lesions could preferentially be used for the selection of resistant clones. Eight trees (7 U and 1 G) were susceptible, and the remainder (8 U and 4 G) resistant. Individual narrow and broad sense heritability estimates were 17 and 81 percent, respectively, thereby suggesting that canker resistance is quantitative and highly dependent on dominance and epistasis.

Chromosome number in Pennisetum spp. accessions (Poaceae, Poales) - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v30i3.5016 / Número cromossômico em acessos de Pennisetum spp. (Poaceae, Poales) - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v30i3.5016

The chromosome complement of 16 Pennisetum accessions belonging to the Germplasm Collection of Embrapa Gado de Leite - Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais State was evaluated. The cytogenetic analysis employed the smear technique and staining with Feulgen. In four accessions, metaphases with 2n = 28 chromosomes were obtained, confirming their classification as P. purpureum. The hybrid origin P. purpureum x P. glaucum was observed in eight accessions, which presented 2n = 21. In an accession identified as P. purpureum x P. glaucum hybrid, metaphases with 2n = 54 were observed, suggesting that it is not a triploid interspecific hybrid. For three other evaluated accessions, cells with 2n=54 were also observed, although they were identified as hybrids between P. purpureum x wild species; P. glaucum polycross x hexaploid 200 and P. glaucum x [F92-161-01 (P. purpureum x P. glaucum)].

Avaliou-se o complemento cromossômico de 16 acessos de Pennisetum disponíveis na Coleção de Germoplasma da Embrapa Gado de Leite Juiz de Fora, Estado de Minas Gerais. Para a avaliação citogenética, utilizou-se a técnica de esmagamento e coloração com Feulgen. Para quatro acessos foram obtidas metáfases com 2n = 28 cromossomos, confirmando sua classificação como P. purpureum. A origem híbrida P. purpureum x P. glaucum foi constatada em oito acessos, os quais apresentaram 2n = 21. Em um acesso identificado como híbrido entre P. purpureum x P. glaucum, foram observadas metáfases com 2n = 54, permitindo inferir que não se trata de um híbrido interespecífico triplóide. Para outros três acessos avaliados, também foram observadas células com 2n = 54, embora estivessem identificados como híbridos entre P. purpureum x espécie selvagem; P. glaucum policross x hexaplóide 200 e P. glaucum x F92-161-01 ( P. purpureum x P. glaucum ).

Differential transcription of ribosomal cistrons denoting nucleolar dominance in hybrids of Drosophila mulleri and Drosophila navojoa (mulleri complex, Repleta group)

The fruit flies Drosophila mulleri and Drosophila navojoa are included in the mulleri complex of the mulleri subgroup and Repleta group. Although there is no demonstration that interspecific crosses between them occur in nature, they intercross in the laboratory in both cross directions. Previous data have shown the occurrence of nucleolar dominance in interspecific hybrids of some species in the mulleri complex. We investigated nucleolar dominance in D. mulleri/D. navojoa hybrids using the transcription profiles of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) region. The results showed that the ribosomal cistrons present in the X chromosome and in the microchromosome of D. navojoa are exclusively or preferentially transcribed in these hybrids depending on the cross direction, denoting the complete or partial nucleolar dominance of this species over D. mulleri.

Amino acid profile in cassava and its interspecific hybrid

Cassava roots have a low-protein content (0.7-2%). Amino acids such as lysine and methionine are also low, and some research reports have indicated the absence of methionine. The amino acid profiles of a common cassava cultivar and an interspecific hybrid, namely ICB 300, were determined using the computerized amino acid analyzer Hitachi L-8500. The interspecific hybrid has 10 times more lysine and 3 times more methionine than the common cassava cultivar: lysine content was 0.010 g per 100 g in the common cassava cultivar while it reached 0.098 in the interspecific hybrid. Methionine in the common cassava cultivar was 0.014 g per 100 g whereas it reached 0.041 g per 100 g in the interspecific hybrid. Total amino acid content in the common cassava cultivar was 0.254 g per 100 g viz. a viz. 1.664 g per 100 g in the interspecific hybrid. The genetic variability of the profile and quantity of amino acids indicate the feasibility of selecting interspecific hybrids that are rich in both crude protein and amino acids. This is the first report of high true protein in cassava root.