Characterization of the Chromosomal Transmission of Intergeneric Hybrids of Saccharum spp. and Erianthus fulvus by Genomic in situ Hybridization

ABSTRACT Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) was used to characterize the genomic constitution of 16 intergeneric F 1 hybrids derived from three cross‐combinations between sugarcane ( Saccharum spp.) and the related wild species Erianthus fulvus Both monocolor and bicolor GISH were performed using digoxigenin‐labeled E. fulvus DNA and biotin‐labeled female parental DNA as probes. Differentiation of the chromosomes contributed by E. fulvus and female parents was easier in bicolor than mono‐color GISH. The results revealed the transmission of 7 to 10 E. fulvus chromosomes into progenies, suggesting that there was “n” transmission of this wild species and that some of the progenies were partial hybrids. Elimination and fragmentation of E. fulvus chromosomes, as well as rearrangements between two chromosomes from different parental genomes, were observed in the cells of the hybrids. Possible explanations for these phenomena and the potential of these hybrids in sugarcane breeding are discussed.