Cytogenetics in the Study of Chromosomal Rearrangement during Wheat Evolution and Breeding

Cytogenetic methods such as chromosome banding and in situ hybridization remain relevant in the post-genomic era, especially for allopolyploid species where genome duplication in some cases makes it difficult to assess the reorganization of chromosomes during evolution. In this review, we give a brief description of cytogenetic methods for the analysis of homoeological chromosomes in cereals. Emphasis is placed on the development of methods for the study of polyploid wheat and its progenitors and on tandem repeats and retrotransposons as markers to evaluate chromosome reorganiza- tion throughout evolution and breeding. The most effective cytological probes used for the identification of chromosomes in wheat and Triticeae species by fluorescence and genomic in situ hybridization are described. Particular attention is paid to ribosomal genes used as markers in phylogenetic studies and for chromosome identification. Utility of these cytogenetic methods in the evaluation of breeding lines is demonstrated. A strategy for cytological analysis of wheat hybrids according to the degree of relationships between the species involved in crosses is also discussed.