Diagnosis: Identifying Cytogenetic Causes of Variants of the Karyotype and the Generative Cycle

Abstract

When the role of cytogenetics in plant breeding was discussed in Section 1.2 the importance of information (general as well as specific information) was mentioned. The present chapter on the diagnosis of variants of the karyotype and of the reproductive cycle deals with methods for collecting specific cytogenetic information about specific material, by making use of their typical karyological and meiotic characteristics. The analysis should include any additional, relevant information available: the context in which the original deviation was found, the history of the material, morphology and biochemistry of the plant, segregation of morphological, biochemical or molecular markers, recombination, fertility, etc. It may even be necessary to carry out additional experiments, and although it may seem superfluous, it is important to check for experimental errors, in classification, administration, pollination, etc. Together these are the diagnostic tools.