PHYSICAL AND GENETIC MAPPING OF THE GRASSES

¹ Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3EB, Wales,UK.

² Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3DA, Wales, UK.

³ School of Plant Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, England, UK.

The forage and turf grass Lolium perenne (Lp) can be readily hybridized with Festuca pratensis (Fp). The combination of promiscuous homoeologous exchange exhibited by Lp/Lp/Fp hybrids and their derivatives and the ability to distinguish the Lp and Fp genomes visually using genomic in situ hybridization is providing us with a unique opportunity to develop a new type of genetic map, i.e. a Lp/Fp 'introgression map'. Lines in which Lp chromosomes, chromosome arms and chromosome segments are replaced with homoeologous Fp chromosomes, chromosome arms and chromosome segments are being generated and isolated. These lines are enabling us to: determine the genetic control of scientifically and agronomically important characters; assist in the development of the Lp genetic map; develop and align physical maps with genetic maps; isolate agronomically important Lp/Fp introgression lines. Furthermore, this material will facilitate the development of novel tools and strategies for genetic mapping and gene isolation.