Summary An interspecific hybrid between G. arboreumϫG. anomalum was obtained by pollinating previous day bagged flowers of G. arboreum genetic male sterile line MPKV GMS with pollen from wild G. anomalum.The chromosome constitution in all the plants of G. arboreum and G. anomalum were found to be normal while interspecific hybrid showed mean chromosome association 1.081 I ϩ10.479 II ϩ0.000 III ϩ0.990 IV with normal sporads. Interspecific hybrid showed anomalous behavior of univalent and formation of single and double chromatin bridges both during fist and second meiotic division of meiosis. Meiotic chromosome association was observed in nine plants of F 2 generation. The cytological studies showed that F 1 and F 2 generations were having irregular pairing and unequal separation of chromosomes. This led to pollen sterility in these generations. In F 2 plants some good plants identified with higher pollen fertility and more number of bolls per plant. Selections from these plants can help to introgress desired characters from G. anomalum to G. arboreum. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was employed to characterize the F 1 interspecific hybrid of G. arboreum MPKV GMSϫG. anomalum and its nine segregants. A total fifteen primers of 10 mer were screened of which eight were selected based on polymorphism of amplified fragments, amplification intensity and the presence of informative markers. Maximum 98 amplified fragments were resolved on the gel for parents, F 1 and F 2 's with OPC-19 primers, whereas, minimum 25 fragments were seen with OPD-04 primer. Similarity coefficient based on DNA amplification using amplified RAPD primer was estimated. The values for genetic similarity ranged from 0.14 to 0.77.
The extent and pattern of variation were studied in the seven crosses of F 1 population of improved S. officinarum x Interspecific hybrids of Saccharum involving one cultivated S. barberi and two wild species S. spontaneum and S. robustum. The study revealed the superiority of all the crosses for cane population and presence of substantial variability for further effective selection and utilization. In general the hybrid progenies were observed to be thin. High heterotic vigour was observed for cane height, which will be of use to maintain yield potential. Mean performance of the crosses for H.R. Brix% was low, which needs further improvement. The average NMC in crosses in general were less when compared to male parent ISH 154 and were high in comparison with pistil parent like Co 87010. The crosses involving commercial hybrids as a pistil parent and S.robustum as a donar in the male parent namely Co 87010 X ISH 29 was superior for single cane weight and cane yield. There was an improvement in cane diameter and H.R. Brix % by utilizing clone ISH 29 from S. robustum group as a male parent, whereas, S. barberi involving clone ISH 154 helps in increasing the cane population and millable cane height in respective crosses. In general, clones with high number of millable canes, moderate brix, good vigour and medium thick canes were also observed which can be exploited further.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.