Fluorescent in situ hybridization - A useful aid to the introduction of alien genetic variation into wheat

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) of DNA to plant chromosomes has proved to be a powerful cytogenetic tool. The value of fluorescent in situ hybridization of total genomic DNA (GISH) of related species is demonstrated in the determination of wheat/alien chromosome pairing in hybrids. Its use for assessing the relative merits of the various genes that affect chromosome pairing is also shown. The ability of GISH to identify the presence in wheat of whole alien chromosomes or alien chromosome segments is illustrated. The potential of FISH for detecting repeated DNA sequences, low copy sequences and single copy genes is discussed.