Int. J. Biosci.

2015
International Journal of Biosciences | IJB |
ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print), 2222-5234 (Online)
http://www.innspub.net
Vol. 6, No. 5, p. 209-219, 2015

RESEARCH PAPER

OPEN ACCESS

Development and cytogenetic characterization of some

interspecific crosses in rice ( Oryza sativa L. Oryza

rufipogon Griff.)
Hamid Ali 1* , Fida Muhammad Abbasi 1 , Habib Ahmad 1, Muhammad Abid Khan 2 ,
Hidayat Ullah1 , Syyed Gauhar Jamal 1 , Abdul Waheed 1 , Shujaul Mulk Khan 2,
Muniba Fida Abbasi 1
1

Department of Genetics, Hazara University Mansehra, Pakistan

Department of Botany, Hazara University Mansehra, Pakistan

Key words: Oryza sativa, Oryza rufipogon, Wide Hybridization, Cross ability.

http://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/6.5.209-219

Article published on March 14, 2015

Abstract
Oryza rufipogon Griff., is a valuable source of resistant genes to various biotic and abiotic stresses. These
resistant genes can be easily transferred to cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.), through wide hybridization.
Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate interspecific crosses between O. sativa cv. Bas-385, IR6, KS-282 and O. rufipogon (Acc. 106516). Immature spikelets of cultivated varieties () were emasculated and
shed with sufficient pollens of O. rufipogon (). The pollinated spikelets were sprayed immediately with 75 ppm
GA3 to enhance pollen germination. A mixture of 100 ppm GA3 and 25 ppm NAA was then applied twice daily for
5 consecutive days to prevent embryo abortion. The cross seeds (F0) were harvested 30 days after pollination.
Seed setting rate and cross ability was determined for each cross combination. The cross ability between O.
sativa and O. rufipogon varied from 4.35-8.33 (%). The highest cross ability was observed in IR-6 O.
rufipogon (8.33%), followed by Bas-385 O. rufipogon (6.39%) and KS-282 O. rufipogon (4.35%). The hybrid
plants were intermediate between the two parents in phenotypes such as basal leaf sheath color but there was an
overall dominance of wild traits in the F1 hybrids. In order to assess meiotic affinity between O. sativa and O.
rufipogon, chromosome behaviors in pollen mother cells (PMCs) of parents and their F 1 hybrids were analyzed.
The frequencies of abnormalities such as univalents (I), trivalents (III) and laggards were slightly higher in all
hybrids at metaphase-I. Despite the low occurrence of such abnormalities, on the average all hybrids showed
normal meiosis with remarkably, high degree of chromosome pairing. At metaphase-I, all hybrids had more than
10.96 bivalents and 21.78 chiasma/PMC. Thus favorable alleles can be easily transferred from O. rufipogon to
cultivated rice.
* Corresponding

Author: Hamid Ali biotechd.ali@gmail.com

209 Ali et al.

Int. J. Biosci.

2015

Introduction

sativa,

Improvement of rice with respect to resistance to

subspecies, ssp. indica and ssp. japonica (Cheng et al.,

biotic and abiotic stresses through introgression of

2003;

alien genetic variation is an important breeding

photoperiod sensitive, largely cross-fertilized, and

objective of wide hybridization (Mandal and Gupta,

widely distributed from southern China, south and

1997; Zhou et al., 2008). Wide hybridization and

Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea and northern

chromosome

Australia. It grows in areas with year round water,

manipulation

are

the

important

which
Londo

is
et

further
al.,

subdivided

2006).

It

is

into

two

perennial,

techniques to transfer useful genes from wild species

such as swamps and lakes.

to cultivated rice, Oryza sativa L. Following these

important role in providing beneficial genes for rice

methods, several genetic and cytogenetic stocks such

breeding (Khush, 1997; Vaughan et al., 2003; Zhang

as

(MAALs),

et al., 2006; Xie et al., 2010), O. rufipogon has long

introgression lines (ILs) and mapping population

been the subject to extensive taxonomic, phylogenetic

have been developed in rice (Brar and Khush, 1997).

and population studies using a variety of approaches.

Introgressive hybridization can often lead to rapid

However, introgression of these genes involving

genomic

chromosomal

Pakistani rice varieties is still not fully investigated.

rearrangements, genome expansion, differential gene

Present study was therefore conducted to produce F1

expression and gene silencing, some of which are

hybrids of O. rufipogon and O. sativa (Pakistani

mediated by transposable elements (Baack and

cultivars). Meiotic chromosome analysis experiments

Rieseberg, 2007). These genomic changes may lead to

were conducted to assess genomic affinity as a

beneficial new phenotypes and selection for fertility

prerequisite of alien gene transfer.

monosomic

alien

changes,

addition

including

lines

Because of their

and ecological traits may in turn alter genome

structure (Baack and Rieseberg, 2007). Knowledge of

Materials and methods

the cytogenetic relationships between cultivated

Plant material

species and their wild relatives has still greater scope

Three widely grown Pakistani commercial cultivars

to transfer alien genes of interest. Several innovative

viz. IR-6, KS-282 and Bas-385 (O. sativa L. sub

approaches in breeding crops have been developed

species indica) and common wild rice O. rufipogon

and one of them demands constant reference to the

Griff. (Acc. No. 106516) were used as parental

chromosomal status of the breeding materials. The

materials in the present study. Seeds of cultivated

chromosomal status and ploidy level of species in

varieties were obtained from the Gene Bank of Plant

gene introgressive breeding program ultimately

Genetic Resource Institution (PGRI), NARC (National

depends on the meiotic behavior at different stages of

Agriculture Research Centre), Islamabad, Pakistan.

meiosis (Sinha et al., 1983). Moreover, cytogenetic

Seeds of O. rufipogon were obtained from the

basis of genome and evolutionary analyses are crucial

International Rice Germplasm Centre (IRGC), of the

for directing our efforts to search for beneficial gene/s

International

in wild species of rice. Although landraces and wild

Philippines.

Rice

Research

Institute

(IRRI),

species are in general agronomically inferior to

cultivated rice, the transfer of favorable alleles for

Seed dormancy of O. rufipogon was broken through

disease resistance, tolerance to abiotic stresses,

dry heat treatment at 50 C for 7 days and hull

agronomic traits such as yield heterosis, higher

removal. Seeds of wild species as well as cultivated

protein quantity and other quality related traits are

varieties were pregerminated at 33 C in sterilized

still feasible (Brar and Khush, 1997; Fu et al., 2008;

petri dishes lined with filter paper. The germinated

McCouch et al., 2007).

Oryza rufipogon Griff.

seedlings were transferred to plastic pots and grown

is a member of more than 20 wild species in genus

under standard agronomic conditions. The present

Oryza (Vaughan 1989), and it is commonly regarded

study was conducted during rice growing seasons of

as the wild progenitor of Asian cultivated rice, O.

2008 & 2009, in the Department of Genetics, Hazara

210 Ali et al.

Int. J. Biosci.

2015

University, Mansehra Pakistan.

appropriate stage of growth using IRRI standard

descriptor, Technical Bulletin 4, 1980.

Production of interspecific hybrids (O. sativa O.

rufipogon)

Meiotic chromosomes analysis

Inter specific crosses were made between cultivated

The sporocytes of the parents and F 1 hybrids were

varieties viz. Bas-385, IR-6 and KSK-282 and wild

collected at the early booting stage between 7.00-

rice O. rufipogon (IRGC Acc. No. 106516). Cultivated

9.00 a.m. These were fixed in Farmers solution (3

varieties were used as seed parents (), while O.

parts of 95% ethyl alcohol +1 part of glacial acetic

rufipogon () was used as pollinator. To prepare

acid) for 24 hours at room temperature. Traces of

female parents, panicles of rice plants at appropriate

ferric chloride were added as mordant. Pollen

stage (when th of panicle had emerged from the

mother cells (PMCs) smears were prepared by

flag leaf) were emasculated and pollinated with

squashing the anthers in 2 % acetocarmine. Data

sufficient pollen of wild species on following day.

on chromosome association such as univalents,

Gibberellic acid (GA3) 75 ppm was sprayed onto

bivalents

pollinated panicles immediately after pollination. The

diakinesis/metaphase-I

pollinated panicles were also sprayed twice a day for

chromosomes at anaphase-I was recorded.

or

other

configuration
and

distribution

at
of

five days with a mixture of growth hormones GA3 and

NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid) in the proportion of
100 and 25 mg

L-1,

respectively, beginning with the

Results
Production and confirmation of interspecific crosses

pollinated

Interspecific crosses were made between cultivated

panicles were harvested 30 days after pollination, F0

varieties and wild species of rice during the present

seeds were collected and % seed set was determined

investigation. A total of 624, 460 and 360 spikelet of

for each cross as reported by Guo et al., 2009.

cultivated varieties IR-6, KS-282 and Bas-385 were

afternoon

following

pollination.

The

pollinated, respectively. The percentage of seed set

For confirmation of interspecific crosses, the F0 seeds

was 19.7, 17.3 and 16.3 (%) for IR-6 O. rufipogon,

were grown in pots. The F1 hybrids obtained were

KS-282 O. rufipogon and Bas-385 O. rufipogon,

confirmed through morphological markers such as

respectively. Whereas, rate of germination was 42.28,

basal leaf sheath color. Phenotypic data was recorded

25.12 and 39.20 (%) for IR-6 O. rufipogon, KS-282

from all the flowering tillers of each plant at

O. rufipogon and Bas-385 O. rufipogon,

respectively (Table 1).

Table 1. Seed setting rate and cross ability of interspecific crosses of O. sativa and O. rufipogon.
Cross

Spikelet pollinated (No) Seed set (%) Seed germination (%)

F1 hybrids produced (No) Cross ability (%)

combination
IR-6

O. 624

19.7

42.28

52

8.33

O. 460

17.3

25.12

20

4.35

O. 360

16.3

39.20

23

6.39

rufipogon
KS-282

rufipogon
Bas-385
rufipogon

The cross ability between O. sativa and O. rufipogon

cross ability, IR-6 showed a close affinity with O.

varied from 4.35-8.33 (%). The highest cross ability

rufipogon (Table 1).

was observed in IR-6 O. rufipogon (8.33%) and

The hybrid plants were intermediate between two

least in KS-282 O. rufipogon (4.35%). Based on

parents in phenotypes such as basal leaf sheath color,

stigma color and awn color and appearance; however,

211 Ali et al.

Int. J. Biosci.

2015

there was an overall dominance of wild traits in these

their

hybrids. Dominance of wild traits were apparent in

morphological

ancestral

wild

species.

panicle characters such as panicle type, panicle

pigmentation proved to be a very useful one. At a

exertion and grain characters such as grain awning

very early stage (3 to 4 days after germination), the

and grain shattering etc. The hybrid plants were

hybrid nature of F1 seedlings were confirmed through

highly vigorous and showed high tillering ability (Fig.

the basal leaf sheath coloration, as the female parents

1). Degree of cross affinity varied with the genetic

lack the pigment (anthocyanin) in their basal leaf

makeup of female parents (Table 1), suggesting that

sheaths whereas the basal leaf sheath of hybrids and

different cultivars have different cross affinity with

male parent were pigmented.

markers,

Among

the

the

anthocyanin

Table 2. Meiotic configuration of IR-6, O. rufipogon (Acc. 106516) and their F1 hybrids.
Chromosome pairing

IR-6

O. rufipogon

IR-6 x O. rufipogon

DK

M1

DK

M1

DK

M1

42

26

94

52

46

100

Range

02

02

02

02

08

04

Mean/cell

0.10

0.08

0.21

0.14

1.61

0.37

Range

11 12

11 12

11 12

10 12

8 12

8 12

Mean/cell

11.95

11.96

11.75

11.90

11.20

11.62

Range

10 12

11 12

10 12

10 12

8 12

5 12

Mean/cell

11.88

11.96

11.69

11.64

10.83

11.02

Range

02

02

02

04

06

Mean/cell

0.07

0.07

0.27

0.37

0.60

Range

01

01

Mean/cell

0.02

0.05

Range

02

Mean/cell

0.06

Range

22 24

22 24

22 24

22 24

16 24

16 24

Mean/cell

23.86

23.92

23.46

23.58

21.50

22.98

Cell analyzed(no)
Univalents

Total Bivalent

Rings

Rods

Trivalent

Quadrivalents

Chiasma/ PMC

DK=Diakinesis

M1=Metaphase-I

Meiotic configuration was recorded as range and mean per cell.

Variations in awn color were observed at early

portion of awn was red while the lower portion was

flowering. O. sativa possessed white color awns while

white (Fig. 2).

O. rufipogon manifested red color awns. The F1

Cytogenetic

hybrids showed red & white color awns. The upper

rufipogon

characterization
and

their

of

O.
F1

sativa,

O.

hybrids

Meiotic chromosome pairing of O. sativa (IR-6, KS-

212 Ali et al.

Int. J. Biosci.

2015

282 and Bas-385), O. rufipogon and their F1 hybrids

282 was normal at diakinesis/metaphase-I. No

were analyzed at diakinesis and metaphase-I. From

trivalents or quadrivalents were observed. However,

the cytological observations, it was confirmed that the

univalents were observed at a very low frequency. The

parental species and their F1 hybrids, had a consistent

mean chromosome configuration of IR-6 at diakinesis

chromosome number of 2n=2x=24 in meiotic PMCs

was 0.10 I + 11.95 II (11.88 rings + 0.07 rods), with

with normal meiosis. The analysis of meiosis showed

23.86 chiasma per cell, while it was 0.08 I + 11.96 II,

that chromosome pairing of IR-6, Bas-385 and KS-

with 23.92 chiasma per cell, at metaphase-I.

Table 3. Meiotic configuration of KS-282, O. rufipogon (Acc. 106516) and their F1 hybrids.
Chromosome pairing

KS-282

O. rufipogon

KS-282 x O. rufipogon

DK

M1

DK

M1

DK

M1

53

33

94

52

109

49

Range

02

02

02

02

0 12

0 22

Mean/cell

0.15

0.18

0.21

0.14

0.92

1.20

Range

11 12

11 12

11 12

10 12

6 12

1 12

Mean/cell

11.92

11.91

11.75

11.90

10.36

10.96

Range

9 12

10 12

10 12

10 12

5 12

1 12

Mean/cell

11.81

11.82

11.69

11.64

9.68

9.96

Range

03

02

02

02

06

04

Mean/cell

0.11

0.09

0.07

0.27

0.67

1.00

Range

01

02

01

Mean/cell

0.02

0.06

0.02

Range

01

02

Mean/cell

0.02

0.20

Range

21 24

22 24

22 24

22 24

12 24

2 24

Mean/cell

23.74

23.73

23.46

23.58

20.21

21.78

Cell analyzed(no)
Univalents

Total Bivalent

Rings

Rods

Trivalent

Quadrivalents

Chiasma/ PMC

Meiotic configuration was recorded as range and mean per cell.

Mean chromosome configuration of KS-282 at

(11.87 rings + 0.10 rods), with 23.85 chiasma per cell,

diakinesis was 0.15 I + 11.92 II (11.81 rings + 0.11

at metaphase-1.

rods), with 23.74 chiasma per cell, whereas it was

0.18 I + 11.91 II (11.82 rings + 0.09 rods), with 23.73

Mean chromosome configuration of O. rufipogon was

chiasma per cell, at metaphase-I. Similarly, mean

0.21 I + 11.75 II (11.69 rings + 0.07 rods), with 23.46

chromosome configuration of Bas-385 at diakinesis

chiasma per cell at diakinesis, whereas it was 0.14 I +

was 0.14 I + 11.93 II (11.89 rings + 0.04 rods), with

11.90 II (11.64 rings + 0.27 rods) + 0.02 III, with

23.82 chiasma per cell and it was 0.05 I + 11.97 II

23.58 chiasma per cell, at metaphase-I. Thus,

chromosome configuration did not differ considerably

213 Ali et al.

Int. J. Biosci.

2015

at diakinesis and metaphase-I. However, trivalent

high as compared to the parental species. Trivalents

were observed only at metaphase-I of O. rufipogon

and Quadrivalents were observed only at metaphase-

and were lacking at diakinesis. Chromosomes were

I. Chiasma frequency was relatively low as compared

equally segregated to the two poles at anaphase-I and

to their respective parents. This reduction in chiasma

II. Thus, both O. sativa and O. rufipogon showed

frequency was due to the high occurrence of

normal meiosis.The F1 hybrids also showed regular

univalents and rod bivalents in these hybrids. Mean

meiosis (Table 2, 3 and 4).

chromosome configuration of IR-6 O. rufipogon at

diakinesis was 1.61 I + 11.20 II (10.83 rings + 0.37

Chromosome configuration at diakinesis/metaphase-

rods), with 21.50 chiasma per cell. While it was 0.37 I

I of all the F1 hybrids did not differ appreciably from

+ 11.62 II (11.02 rings + 0.60 rods) + 0.05 III + 0.06

those of their parental species. However, the

IV, with 22.98 chiasma per cell, at metaphase-I.

frequencies of univalents and rod bivalents were quite

Table 4. Meiotic configuration of Bas-385, O. rufipogon (Acc. 106516) and their F1 hybrids.
Chromosome pairing
Cell analyzed(No)

Bas-385

O. rufipogon

Bas-385x O. rufipogon

DK

M1

DK

M1

DK

M1

100

39

94

52

57

36

04
0.14

02
0.05

02
0.21

02
0.14

08
1.04

04
0.47

10 12
11.93

11 12
11.97

11 12
11.75

10 12
11.90

8 12
11.40

10 12
11.69

10 12
11.89

11 12
11.87

10 12
11.69

10 12
11.64

8 12
10.95

9 12
11.44

01
0.04

01
0.10

02
0.07

02
0.27

02
0.46

03
0.25

_
_

_
_

_
_

01
0.02

01
0.02

01
0.03

_
_

_
_

_
_

_
_

0 10
0.02

01
0.03

20 24
23.82

22 24
23.85

22 24
23.46

22 24
23.58

16 24
22.44

20 24
23.33

Univalents
Range
Mean/cell
Total Bivalent
Range
Mean/cell
Rings
Range
Mean/cell
Rods
Range
Mean/cell
Trivalent
Range
Mean/cell
Quadrivalents
Range
Mean/cell
Chiasma/PMC
Range
Mean/cell

Meiotic configuration was recorded as range and mean per cell.

Mean chromosome configuration of KS-282 O.

at diakinesis was 1.04I + 11.40 II (10.95 rings + 0.46

rufipogon at diakinesis was 0.92 I + 10.36 II (9.68

rods) +0.02III + 0.02 IV, with 22.44 chiasma per cell.

rings + 0.67 rods) +0.06III + 0.02 IV, with 20.21

Whereas at metaphase-I, it was 0.47 I + 11.69 II

chiasma per cell. On the other hand, it was 1.2 I +

(11.44 rings + 0.25 rods) + 0.03 III + 0.3 IV, with

10.96 II (9.96 rings + 1.0 rods) + 0.02 III + 0.2 IV,

23.33 chiasma per cell.

with 21.78 chiasma per cell, at metaphase-I. Mean

chromosome configuration of Bas-385 O. rufipogon

214 Ali et al.

Chromosomes were equally segregated to the two

Int. J. Biosci.

2015

poles at anaphase-I and II. Most of the cells showed

the F1 hybrids. No micronuclei were observed at

normal meiosis. However, straggling chromosomes at

telophase-I or II. However, few chromosome bridges

metaphase-I (Fig. 3) and laggards at anaphase-I were

were observed at anaphase-I. A very few cells with

commonly observed. The high frequency of laggards

abnormal spindle orientation, early separation and

at anaphase-I was obviously as a consequence of high

late disjunction were also observed (Table 5 and Fig.

frequency of univalents at diakinesis/metaphase-I in

3).

Table 5. Chromosome behavior at anaphase-I and telophase-I in parents and their hybrids.
Parent/hybrids

Cells analyzed (No)

Percent (%) cells observed

Normal

Laggards

Bridges

Bridges + Fragments

Abnormal spindle

Late disjunction

O. rufipogon

120

96.6

1.7

1.7

IR-6

186

97.85

2.15

KS-282

198

98.98

1.01

BAS-385

103

98.06

1.94

IR-6x O.rufipogon

136

87.51

4.41

1.47

2.94

2.2

KS-282x O.rufipogon

190

78.90

8.42

0.53

1.05

6.32

3.2

Bas-385x O.rufipogon

175

86.26

5.14

0.57

3.43

4.6

Discussion

The cross ability between O. sativa and O. rufipogon

In the genus Oryza, interspecific hybrids are useful

was very low (< 10 %) and varied from 4.35-8.33 (%).

bridges for transferring the desired genes from wild

The highest cross ability was observed in IR-6 O.

species to cultivated rice (O. sativa L.). In this study

rufipogon (8.33%) while the least one in KS-282 O.

interspecific crosses were made between cultivated

rufipogon (4.35%). Based on cross ability, IR-6

varieties and wild species of rice (O. rufipogon Griff.).

showed a close affinity with O. rufipogon. Our

Incrossability barriers such as hindrance in pollen

findings indicate that cross ability between O. sativa

germination, embryo abortion, low cross ability and

and O. rufipogon varied with the genetic makeup of

poor pollen fertility were observed during the present

the female parents. Thus different cultivars have

study. Gibberellic acid (75 mg/liter) was used to

different cross affinities with their ancestral wild

induce pollen germination and a mixture of 100

species. Similar variations in cross ability have been

mg/liter gibberellic acid (GA3) and 25 mg/liter

reported by many researchers e.g. Guo et al., 2009

naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) was used to prevent

and Naredo et al., 1998.

embryo abortion.

Fig. 2. Variation in awn color of parents and their

hybrids (a) red color awn of O. rufipogon, (b) red &
Fig. 1. Morphology of interspecific hybrid (KS-282

white color awn of F1 hybrid, the upper half portion

O. rufipogon),that shows purplish green color basal

is red (small arrow) while lower half portion is white

leaf sheaths (arrow), high tillering ability and

(large arrow), (c) white color awn of O. sativa cv.

spreading growth habit.

Bas-385.

215 Ali et al.

Int. J. Biosci.

2015

All the hybrid plants obtained from the cross of O.

recombination. In order to assess genomic affinity

sativa O. rufipogon were intermediate between two

between cultivars of O. sativa and O. rufipogon,

parents in characters such as basal leaf sheath color

chromosome behaviors in pollen mother cells

but wild traits like open type panicles, high grain

(PMCs)

shattering and grain awning dominated in the

analyzed at diakinesis, metaphase-I, anaphase-I

hybrids. Regarding the dominance of wild traits,

and telophase-I. The frequency of abnormalities

similar

such

observations

were

reported

in

several

as

of

parents

univalents

and

(I),

their

hybrids

trivalents

(III)

were

and

intragenomic and intergenomic hybrids of rice (Brar

quadrivalents (IV) were slightly high in all hybrids.

et al., 1991; Naredo et al., 1998; Niroula et al.,

Despite the low occurrence of such abnormalities,

2009). Several approaches of plant breeding

on an average all the interspecific hybrids showed

demand constant reference to the chromosomal

normal meiosis with remarkably high degree of

status of the breeding materials. The degree of

chromosome pairing. At metaphase-I, all the

variability, viability and stability desired in the

hybrids had more than 10.96 bivalents and 21.78

plant breeding often depends on the efficiency of

chiasma/PMC.

parental chromosomes pairing and subsequent

Fig 3. Meiotic behavior of interspecific hybrid (O. sativa cv. Bas-385 O. rufipogon). (a) diakinesis showing 12
bivalents (11 rings + 1 rod), (b) Metaphase-I showing two straggling bivalents (arrow), (c) Cytokinesis with
abnormal spindle orientations (arrow), (d) Tetrad with abnormal nuclei (arrows).
Meiotic behavior in this study was regular in all the

However a very few cells with early separation, late

interspecific hybrids at metaphase I. Chromosome

disjunction and abnormal spindle orientation were

configurations of the interspecific hybrids were not

recorded at anaphase-I in the F1 hybrids. Based on

differed appreciably from those of the parental

meiosis of intervarietal and interspecific hybrids,

species. The total number of bivalents ranged from

Shastry (1966) suggested that AA genome species are

10.36-11.69/PMC with majority of ring bivalents.

differentiated by chromosome structural changes to

Chiasma frequencies were also comparable with

various

parental species and varied from 20.21 to 23.33/cell.

chromosome pairing in all F1 hybrids at metaphase-I

Chromosomes were equally segregated to the two

was essentially normal. The type and frequency of

poles at anaphase- I and II in most of the PMCs.

meiotic aberrations observed in this study are similar

216 Ali et al.

degrees.

However

in

this

study,

the

Int. J. Biosci.

2015

to those found in interracial hybrids in O. sativa

the failure of bivalent formation at the later stages

(Nayar, 1973; Kumaran and Menon, 1982).

in hybrids is not always a proof of lack of

homology. Such failure of synapsis can possibly be

Univalents

and

frequentlyobserved
hybrids,

but

also

quadrivalents
not

only

commonly

in

were

brought by many external and internal factors as

interspecific

reported by Misra and Shastry (1969). The present

reported

for

interracial and intervarietal hybrids and even in

data thus indicates that O. rufipogon and O. sativa

has most likely the same genomic composition.

true parental forms (Nayar, 1973; Kumaran and

Menon, 1982).

Conclusions
Common wild rice O. rufipogon produced viable

Although the range of univalents was quite high in

F 1 hybrids when crossed with three widely grown

this study (0-22) in KS-282 O. rufipogon, the

cultivated varieties of Pakistan viz. Bas-385, IR-6

average number of quadrivalents and univalents

and KS-282. The use of growth regulators GA 3

were similar to those reported earlier. Similar

and NAA proved to be very useful triggering

observations were also reported in cross involving

agents in making interspecific crosses. F 1 hybrids

O. sativa and O. nivara (Niroula et al., 2009).

were confirmed easily through morphological

markers. The F 1 hybrids showed normal meiosis

High frequency abnormalities such as frequent

with remarkably high degree of chromosome

formation of 0-3 quadrivalents, univalents and

pairing

at

metaphase-I.

chromosomal elimination have been reported in

alleles

of

resistant

O.

introgressed from O. rufipogon into cultivated

sativa

O.

rufipogon

hybrids

earlier

(Majumder et al., 1997). Occurrence of structural

Therefore,

genes

can

favorable
be

easily

rice.

changes at later stages such as quadrivalents

formation at diakinesis and metaphase-I and

Acknowledgements

bridges and fragments at anaphase-I can be taken

We

as an indicator of translocation and inversion,

Commission (HEC) Pakistan for funding this

respectively. However, the low frequency of such

research project under PhD fellowship program.

highly

acknowledge

Higher

Education

anomalies observed in this study is not enough to

generalize the structural differentiations. Bridges

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