Determination of some meiotic characteristics and seed set in autotetraploid perennial rye (Secale montanum Guss.).

In

this study, the generations C1, C2 and C3 of

autotetraploid perennial rye (Secale montanum Guss.) were compared in terms

of seed set and some cytological characteristics including irregularities in

metaphase I (univalents), anaphase I and II (lagging chromosomes and/or

chromatids and bridge) and micronuclei in tetrads. According to generations (C1,

C2 and C3) average cell rate with univalent was 18.51,

14.56 and 9.38%, rate of irregular anaphase I cells was 3.44, 15.93 and 7.86%,

rate of irregular anaphase II cells was 20.93, 16.48 and 7.16%, rate of tetrads

with micronuclei was 18.17, 14.06 and 6.17% and seed set rate was 27.72, 43.50

and 59.59% respectively. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between

seed set and univalents in metaphase I and abnormal anaphase I and II cells,

and tetrads with micronuclei. The correlations among the characters

investigated during meiotic division were statically significant. The result of

this study showed that selection of vigorous plants in autotetraploid perennial

rye stimulated seed setting by increasing cytological balance. On the other

hand, the abnormalities in early stage of meiotic division were determined to

be reflected to the next stages of meiosis.