Induced variation in chiasma frequency in Rye in response to phosphate treatments

Abstract

SUMMARY: Plants of two rye genotypes, one highly inbred, the other not, were grown with varying amounts of available mineral phosphate. In two experiments, one using culture solutions, the other a field experiment, the results show an effect of phosphate treatments on mean chiasma frequency at first metaphase in meiocytes. Plants given increased amounts of phosphate showed an increase in chiasma frequency. A similar effect of phosphate on chromosome size and mass at mitotic metaphase in meristems is known and there may be a direct link between chromosome size and chiasma frequency.