Cytological evidence of genetic control of chromosome pairing in artificial autotetraploids of Trifolium riograndense Burkart

Abstract

Induced autotetraploids of T. riograndense do not present the meiotic configurations expected for this type of polyploids according to the mathematical model proposed by Jackson and Casey (1982) and Jackson and Hauber (1982). (Am. J. Bot. 69, 487-501 and 644-646, resp.). Meiotic associations are predominantly bivalents and few quadrivalents are formed. Possible explanations are discussed. It seems probable that in T. riograndense autotetraploids predominant bivalent formation is genetically controlled.