Interesting. Presumably a lot of barriers are selected for to prevent
hybridization in the wild, where sterile offspring are usually dead
ends. I wouldn't be surprised if there's enough variability among
irises that some genotypes might turn out to be compatible among
species that typically can't cross.
Another possibility that occurs to me is that some amiphidiploids
might cross more easily or widely than straight species, if they
express a mixed phenotype say, closer to the average cytoplasmic
makeup for iris.
Sean Z
Quoting "JamieV." <j*@freenet.de>:
> Sean,
>
> I had thought the same, but, apparently the tetraploidy doesn't make
> the plants more compatable that the diploid version, simply allows
> them to reproduce into another generation. Not all genetic barriers
> are understood. It may well be that there are exceptions, but I've
> not found any records of them. One main reason for incompatability
> is the cytoplasm of the seed parent not being compatable with the
> pollen. Regardless of ploidy, a viable embryo is not possible.
>
> Maybe someone with more knowledge in embryo viability can shed some
> more light.
>
> Jamie V.
>
> _______________________
>
> KÃln (Cologne)
> Germany
> Zone 8
>
>
>
>
> Am 05.03.2011 20:10, schrieb Sean A. Zera:
>> I sort of assumed that interspecies crosses between tetraploids would
>> actually be easier to produce. In a diploid cross, enough of the
>> parents' chromosomes have to be sufficiently analogous to pair, or the
>> embryo will be inviable, not just sterile. In a tetraploid cross, this
>> is irrelevant because each chromosome has a compatible twin of its own
>> species to pair with.
>>
>>
>> Sean Z
>>
>>
>>
>> Quoting "JamieV."<j*@freenet.de>:
>>
>>> Jim,
>>>
>>> using tetraploids will give amphidiploid offspring, which will be
>>> fertile. Diploid hybrids often have unbalanced chromosomes and fail
>>> to produce viable gametes during meiosis and are thus infertile.
>>> The advantage lies in the next generations as most diploid
>>> wide-cross hybrids are dead ends. As to whether the actual cross
>>> will be easier to make, I doubt it, but one has a better outcome for
>>> the extra effort to get the cross to take.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jamie V.
>>>
>>> _______________________
>>>
>>> KÃln (Cologne)
>>> Germany
>>> Zone 8
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Am 05.03.2011 00:51, schrieb g*@sasktel.net:
>>>>
>>>> Now this is all very fascinating information for one who likes to
>>>> do some hybridizing! Canât wait to give it a try myself. Also,
>>>> will look forward to seeing this hybrid seedling flower as well.
>>>> I do have a question regarding the use of the tetraploids â why
>>>> would this work any better than using both diploids? Also, it is
>>>> interesting that if siberica and sanguinea are not closely related
>>>> that the offspring from such a cross as still quite fertile??
>>>> Jim in Saskatoon
>>>> *From:* Rodney Barton<mailto:r*@yahoo.com>
>>>> *Sent:* Friday, March 04, 2011 4:12 PM
>>>> *To:* i*@yahoogroups.com<mailto:i*@yahoogroups.com>
>>>> *Subject:* Re: [iris-species] I. sibirica X I. pseudacorus
>>>>
>>>> My understanding is that Siberian Irises, as a class, are mostly I.
>>>> sanguinea. A surprising finding by Dr. Wilson is that I. sanguinea
>>>> is not very closely related to I. sibirica.
>>>>
>>>> Rod
>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> *From:* JamieV.<j*@freenet.de>
>>>> *To:* i*@yahoogroups.com
>>>> *Sent:* Fri, March 4, 2011 3:54:21 PM
>>>> *Subject:* Re: [iris-species] I. sibirica X I. pseudacorus
>>>>
>>>> Dennis, et al,
>>>>
>>>> I've tried the cross a few times with no takes, but using
>>>> tetraploids should most certainly work creating an amphidiploid.
>>>> There are quite a few tet sibericas to try. Sultan's Ruby comes to
>>>> mind as being a very reliable garden plant. Dennis, could you send
>>>> over some of the tetraploid pollen? I have SR and a couple of
>>>> other tetraploids in the garden. This may be worth a try.
>>>>
>>>> Jamie
>>>>
>>>> Am 04.03.2011 22:47, schrieb Dennis Kramb:
>>>>
>>>>> I grow both. I can try it this year (if you remind me!).
>>>>> Actually my clone of pseudacorus is tetraploid, so that could
>>>>> improve chances of a successful cross.
>>>>>
>>>>> Dennis in Cincy
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Jamie V.
>
> _______________________
>
> KÃln (Cologne)
> Germany
> Zone 8
>
>
