Cytological Identification of Chromosomal Rearrangements in Doritaenopsis and Phalaenopsis

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of gross chromosomal rearrangements, specifically translocations and inversions, on the division of pollen mother cells in hybrids Dtps. Queen Beer, Dtps. Sinica Sunday, Dtps. Sweet Strawberry “Wei”, Dtps. Taihort Gem “A87-76”, P. Sogo Yukidian “V3”and Dtps. Ben Yu Star “Red Dragon”. Meiosis in pollen mother cells (PMCs) was analyzed to detect possible translocations and inversions in chromosomes, and the frequency of chromosomal rearrangements was compared to the formation of normal tetrads in mature pollinia. The results from the comparisons suggest that while chromosomal rearrangements may impair proper division of pollen cells, other factors such as environment, ploidy, and genotype-dependent developmental plasticity may be involved as well.