Abstract

In most allopolyploid plants, only homogenetic chromosome pairing occurs in meiosis, as a result of the recognition of genome differentiation by the genetic system regulating meiotic chromosome pairing. The nature of differentiation between chromosomes of closely related genomes is examined here by investigating recombination between wheat chromosome 1A and the closely related homoeologous chromosome 1Am of Triticum monococcum. The recognition of the differentiation between these chromosomes by the Ph1 locus, which prevents heterogenetic chromosome pairing in wheat, is also investigated. Chromosomes 1A and 1Am are shown to be colinear, and it is concluded that they are differentiated 'substructurally.' This substructural differentiation is argued to be recognized by the Ph1 locus. In the absence of Ph1, the distribution and frequencies of crossing over between the 1A and 1Am homoeologues were similar to the distribution and frequencies of crossing over between 1A homologues. The cytogenetic and evolutionary significance of these findings is discussed.