FISH karyotype comparison between A.sup.b- and A-genome chromosomes using oligonucleotide probes

Triticum boeoticum (2n = 2x = 14, A.sup.bA.sup.b) contains beneficial traits for common wheat improvement. The discrimination of A.sup.b-genome chromosomes from A-genome chromosomes is an important step in gene transfer from T. boeoticum to common wheat. In this study, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using nine oligonucleotide probes revealed high divergence between chromosomes of the common wheat germplasm Crocus and T. boeoticum accession G52. The combination of Oligo-pTa535-HM and Oligo-pSc119.2-HM can differentiate A.sup.b and A chromosomes within homologous groups 2, 4, 5, and 6; chromosomes 2A.sup.b and 6A.sup.b can be identified by using (ACT).sub.7, (CTT).sub.7, and (GAA).sub.7. The probes Oligo-pTa713 and (ACT).sub.7 can be utilized for the identification of chromosomes 1A.sup.b and 3A.sup.b, respectively. Probes (CAG).sub.7 and (CAC).sub.7 can be applied in the identification of 7A.sup.b. Moreover, probe combinations consisting of Oligo-pTa535-HM and (AAC).sub.7 with (ACT).sub.7 or (CTT).sub.7 and of Oligo-pTa535-HM and Oligo-pTa713 with (CAC).sub.7 or (CTT).sub.7 will help discriminate the A.sup.b-genome chromosomes of T. boeoticum. These probes are being used as potential markers to select common wheat Crocus-T. boeoticum G52 alien chromosome lines. Moreover, FISH patterns are highly divergent between A.sup.b- and A-genome chromosomes, indicating that obvious chromosome structural variations arose during wheat evolution.