Identification of the 1RS rye chromosomal segment in wheat by RAPD analysis

The introgression of rye DNA into the wheat genome was studied using random decamer and specific primers with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA from paired near-isolines in Chisholm and Arkan backgrounds differing with respect to the presence of a 1 RS.1 BL translocation was amplified with 120 arbitrary sequence primers. Two of the primers (OPR 19 and OPJ07) amplified rye-specific DNA fragments. The OPR19 primer amplified a 1.35-kb fragment that appeared to be specific to the 1 RS.1 BL translocation, based on its presence only in lines carrying the 1 RS. 1 BL translocation. A fragment of the same size was also amplified in 1 RS.1 AL translocation lines. This 1 RS. 1 BL marker locus was designated Ximc 1. The other primer, OPJ07, amplified a 1.2-kb DNA sequence, that was designated Ximc 2, specific to the wheat-rye translocation in various wheat backgrounds. The sequences of the two marker loci were found to be different from each other. The Ximc 1 locus was a low-copy sequence which was also present in Balboa rye genomic DNA. Through the use of specific primers, the presence of the rye-specific marker was confirmed in hexaploid as well as in tetraploid wheat backgrounds. The use of RAPDs for the study of smaller alien introgressions into wheat is discussed.