Distribution of a 375 bp repeat sequence in Allium (Alliaceae) as revealed by FISH

Abstract

Information about evolutionary relationships between species of the genus Allium is desirable in order to facilitate breeding programmes. One approach is to study the distribution of repetitive DNA sequences among species thought on taxonomic grounds, to be closely related. We have used fluorescent in-situ hybridisation (FISH) to examine seven species within sect. Cepa of the genus (A. altaicum, A. cepa, A. fistulosum, A. galanthum, A. pskemense, A. oschaninii and A. vavilovii), one species from sect. Rhizirideum (A. roylei), two species from sect. Allium (A. sativum and A. porrum) and one species from sect. Schoenoprasum (A. schoenoprasum). Each species was probed using a 375 bp repeat sequ..