Abstract Detail

Colloquia: Systematic and Evolutionary Perspectives on Apomixis

Puente Molins, Marta [1], Corral Garcia, Jose Maria [1], Aliyu, Olawale Mashood [1], Maron, John L. [2], Sharbel, Timothy F. [1].

Hybridization and its role in the reproduction of Hypericum perforatum.

Apomixis (asexual reproduction through seeds in plants) is an interesting trait to understand, because it shows the possibility of fixing genotypes in crop plants. There are controversial interpretations about the origin and mechanisms of this reproductive trait. Several authors have proposed that allopolyploidy might induce apomixis. Our model system, St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), is hypothesized to be a hybrid, although there is still controversial opinions about the origin. Wild populations are composed of polyploids (mostly tetraploids) which show varying levels of apomixis expression. We are studying the correlation between biogeographic phenomena (population expansion, geographic distance, genetic isolation, and hybridization) and quantitative variation in the expression of apomixis. We have genotyped 600 individuals from 43 different localities in the northern hemisphere using 19 microsatellite markers, and have measured accession-specific apomixis expression levels through a flow cytometric analysis of over 13000 single seeds. Using these data, we have selected genetically divergent accessions for “hybridization” experiments in order to test whether relative genetic divergence between parents can influence quantitative variation for apomictic seed production in F1 offspring.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Leibniz Institut für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung (IPK), Apomixis research group, Cytogenetics, Corrensstrasse 3, , Gatersleben, Sachsen-Anhalt, D-06466, Germany
2 - University of Montana, Division of Biological Sciences, Missoula, Montana 59812 , Missoula, MT, 59812, USA

Keywords:
apomixis
Hypericum perforatum
hybridization
polyploidy
Genetic variation
microsatellites.

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: C4
Location: 551A/Convention Center
Date: Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
Time: 3:00 PM
Number: C4007
Abstract ID:76