Cytogenetics and germplasm enrichment in Brassica allopolyploids in China

This paper reviews research advances in cytogenetics and germplasm innovation in Brassica allopolyploids, particularly oilseed rape (Brassica napus), in China. Three naturally evolved Brassica allotetraploid species are cytologically stable but tend to preferentially lose several chromosomes from one subgenome when induced by alien chromosome elimination. A-subgenome is extracted from B. napus, and the ancestral Brassica rapa was restituted after the total loss of C-subgenome chromosomes. Genome-wide genetic and epigenetic alterations were observed in both natural and synthetic Brassica allotetraploids. B. napus was subjected to extensive interspecific hybridization with landraces of B. rapa and Brassica juncea, which exhibit abundant phenotype variations, to widen the genetic diversity in breeding and select numerous elite germplasm resources and cultivars; these cultivars include the representative Zhongyou 821, which also parented numerous other varieties. Novel B. napus genotypes were obtained using Brassica trigenomic hybrids and allohexaploids (2n=54, AABBCC) by combining subgenomes from extant allotetraploids and diploids as bridge. Alien additions, substitutions, and translocations of the B. napus genome were developed by intergeneric/intertribal sexual and somatic hybridizations with several crucifers. Furthermore, mitochondrial DNA recombination promoted the production of novel cytoplasmic male sterile lines.