Pisum Genetics   

Volume 25

1993

Letters to the Editor

page 71

Chromosomal rearrangement in line WL1393

I write to inform you that the map segment containing genes His(2-6), A, Lf, and His7, reported in (1), has not been affected by the chromosome rearrangement found in line WL1393. This line was a progenitor of the individual plant His(2-6)1323, A, Lf, His73 (selected from the F2 of the cross WL1393 x WL1688) which was used as the female parent, together with WL102 as the male parent, in Cross 1 of Kosterin (1). This plant did inherit the rearranged karyotype from WL1393, since we observed semisterility in eight of twelve resulting F1 plants. Crosses back to WL102 gave progenies segregating for semisterility in accordance with a 1:1 ratio. This semisterility exhibited no linkage to any of the genes His(2-6), a, lf, and His7. Hence, the corresponding region of the genome was not involved in the rearrangement. However, the semisterility turned out to be closely linked to gene tl. The combined progeny of these eight plants segregated as follows: semisterile: 106 Tl/tlw, 14 tlw/tlw; fertile: 9 Tl/tlw, 82 tlw/tlw; providing a recombination value of 10.9 ± 2.2 cM. The parental lines of Cross 2 reported in (1), which yielded the same gene order, proved to have normal karyotypes.

1. Kosterin, O.E. 1992. Pisum Genet. 24:56-59.

O.E.Kosterin, Novosibirsk

Pisum Genetics content and direction

At the recent meeting of the National Pea Improvement Association some of our members expressed the view that the Newsletter had been narrowed too much in scope and that information on pathology, physiology, etc. was no longer to be found in the letter. They didn't know if this was intentional or the result of the change of the title to Pisum Genetics which might discourage contributors other than geneticists. Perhaps you could let us know how you see the long term development of the publication.

David E. Polson, NPIA Secretary/Treasurer, Lewisville

[Good question. Pisum Genetics is published by the Pisum Genetics Association. I interpret that to mean that in general articles should be about peas, primitive or modern, and have an element of, or basis in, genetics. While core articles will involve basic genetics, mapping, cytogenetics and molecular genetics, a vast range of other studies wholly satisfy the above criteria, e.g. in pathology, physiology, developmental biology, morphogenesis, anatomy, cell biology, biochemistry, nutrition, food technology, and so on. Moreover, the ultimate test which I apply is to ask the question - would this item be of interest to PGA members? Some articles with no genetic component may still meet that criterion. As for direction, I would welcome suggestions and comments from readers. A journal must be prepared to grow and adapt as needs require. One thing is certain, it is my desire to produce a useful and internationally respected journal.

On behalf of members, I thank the NPIA for a USD 600 donation which came with David Polson's letter. This money enables Pisum Genetics to go to places it would otherwise not reach and helps us meet our stated aim to foster communication among all pea workers around the world. Ed.]