Many plant species of great economic value (e.g., potato, wheat, cotton, and sugarcane) are polyploids. Despite the essential roles of autopolyploid plants in human activities, our genetic understanding of these species is still poor. Recent progress in instrumentation and biochemical manipulation has led to the accumulation of an incredible amount of genomic data. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time a successful genetic analysis in a highly polyploid genome (sugarcane) by the quantitative analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) allelic dosage and the application of a new data analysis framework. This study provides a better understanding of autopolyploid genomic structure and is a sound basis for genetic studies. The proposed methods can be employed to analyse the genome of any autopolyploid and will permit the future development of high-quality genetic maps to assist in the assembly of reference genome sequences for polyploid species.

Chromosome numbers were determined for 125 accessions of 92 taxa of Mimosa from all five of Barneby's (Mem New York Bot Gard 65:1-835, 1991) taxonomic sections. For 69 species, 1 subspecies and 8 varieties, chromosome numbers are presented for the first time, for 6 species and 1 variety previously published data have been confirmed and for 3 species and 2 varieties different numbers were found. Results show that 74% of the accessions were diploid (2n = 2x = 26) and 26% polyploid, these mostly tetraploid (2n = 4x = 52) but with two triploid (2n = 3x = 39). These results double the number of Mimosa species for which the chromosome count is known from less than 10% previously reported to more than 20%, representing an important advance in the cytotaxonomy of this legume genus. These results together with literature data show that ca. 78% of Mimosa species are diploid. Polyploids are present in most of the taxonomic sections and in different lineages across the genus.No particular chromosome number is restricted to a given section or lineage. A possible relation between geography, species distribution, polyploidy and invasiveness was detected, however, further studies based on more accessions, especially from higher latitudes, are required before firm conclusions can be drawn.

Our results contribute directly to the improvement of linkage mapping in complex polyploids and improve the integration of physical and genetic data for sugarcane breeding programs. Thus, we describe the complexity involved in sugarcane genetics and genomics and allelic dynamics, which can be useful for understanding complex polyploid genomes.

Several species of the genus Paspalum L. are important forages, due to quality, productivity and tolerance to environmental stresses. Chromosome numbers, meiotic configurations and pollen fertility were evaluated in a collection of 85 accessions of Paspalum notatum Flügge and in seven accessions of Pensacola (P. notatum var saurae). All P. notatum accessions were tetraploid, with 2n = 4x = 40, except one diploid accession, considered as an escape of Pensacola. All Pensacola plants had 2n = 2x = 20. Meiotic configurations at diakinesis and metaphase I varied among tetraploid accessions, from plants with only bivalents to plants with high frequency of quadrivalents. Pollen fertility varied from 82.5 to 95.9% among diploid accessions and from 72.4 to 97.9% among the tetraploid. Due to the apomictic mode of reproduction of tetraploid P. notatum, meiotic irregularities can be maintained by the plants without harming their propagation. At the same time, pollen fertility should be high enough to assure endosperm development, since the species is pseudogamous. Wild diploid P. notatum populations, apart from the endemic P. notatum var saurae are very rare. From a plant breeding point of view, all the examined tetraploid accessions are potentially male-fertile and could be used as males in crosses. Key words: apomixis, chromosome numbers, meiotic configurations, plant breeding, pollen fertility DADOS CITOGENÉTICOS PARA ACESSOS DEPaspalum notatum FLÜGGE RESUMO: Muitas espécies do genus Paspalum L. são importantes forragens, devido à qualidade, produtividade e tolerância para o stress ambiental. Números cromossômicos, configurações meióticas e fertilidade do pólen foram analisados em uma coleção de 85 acessos de Paspalum notatum Flügge e sete acessos de Pensacola (P. notatum var saurae). Todos os acessos de P. notatum eram tetraplóides, com 2n = 4x = 40, com exceção de um diplóide, considerado como escape de Pensacola. Todas as plantas de Pensacola examinadas tinham 2n = 2x = 20. Foi verificada variação entre os acessos tetraplóides quanto às configurações cromossômicas em diacinese e metáfase I, desde plantas com apenas bivalentes até aquelas com alta freqüência de quadrivalentes. A fertilidade do pólen variou de 82,5 a 95,9% entre os acessos diplóides e de 72,4 a 97,9% entre os tetraplóides. Devido ao modo de reprodução apomítico de P. notatum tetraplóide, irregularidades meióticas podem ser mantidas sem prejuízo da propagação. Ao mesmo tempo, a fertilidade do pólen deve ser suficientemente alta para assegurar a formação do endosperma, já que a espécie é pseudogâmica. Diplóides silvestres de P. notatum, além do endêmico P. notatum var saurae são muito raros. Do ponto de vista do melhoramento, todos os tetraplóides são potencialmente macho-férteis e poderiam ser utilizados como genitores masculinos em cruzamentos. Palavras-chave: apomixia, números cromossômicos, configurações meióticas, melhoramento genético, fertilidade do pólen

-

-The aim of this study was to determine the mode of reproduction of a hybrid progeny derived from intraspecific crosses of Paspalum notatum through cytoembryological analysis and use of RAPD (random amplification of polymorphic DNA) molecular markers. Cytoembryological analysis allowed identification of the mode of reproduction of 28 plants that were selected after agronomic productivity evaluations. Of these, 19 had embryo sac morphology compatible with an apomictic mode of reproduction and nine had embryo sac morphology compatible with a sexual mode of reproduction. Meanwhile, molecular marker analysis for 194 individuals showed 54 sexual and 140 apomictic plants; of the 28 plants analyzed by the two methods, ten results (35.7%) were in disagreement. In this paper, through cytoembryological analyses, a ratio of 1:2.1 of sexual to apomictic plants was found. The BCU 243 marker showed a stable pattern of amplification, but some results differed with cytoembryological analyses, demonstrating that these analyses are more reliable when determining the mode of sexual reproduction for the plants of P. notatum. Apomictic plants characterized in this work can be tested in the field to check their agronomic value and registration as plant varieties, while the sexual plants can be used as potential parents in future crosses.

-

-The objective of this study was to identify polyploid plants from citrus rootstocks and to evaluate the influence of the 67%) tetraploids, respectively. Differences in the number of tetraploid plants among genotypes and locations were observed in field progenies of 'C 37' (2.12%) and 'C 13' (2.04%) and in greenhouse progenies of 'C 13' (15.52%) and 'C 37' (6%). The frequency of autotetraploidization events in citrus rootstocks is common and appears to be associated to genetic constitution and environmental conditions.