, and the Asian I. anisatum . Fewer interspecific hybrids exist and only I. floridanum × I. mexicanum selections are currently available in the horticultural trade. Additional data on cytogenetics, including chromosome numbers and ploidy, of taxa in
cells is measured. The theory behind this method of screening for changes in ploidy levels is simple. The cell volume of a plant is directly proportional to the amount of DNA present in the cell, so that doubling the amount of DNA, which occurs when
Blueberries (family Ericaceae, species Vaccinium , commonly section Cyanococcus ) are a diverse taxonomic group, and blueberries currently in commercial production represent three major Vaccinium species and two ploidy levels: 4 x V
Cyanococcus . In attempting to cross section Cyanococcus with species of other sections, blueberry breeders typically have used plants with the same chromosome numbers to avoid the ploidy-level barrier in addition to other genetic barriers, which might
were to confirm the ploidy level of the androgenic genotypes by flow cytometry; to confirm the zygosity state of the androgenic genotypes by SSR markers; to analyze S -alleles of the androgenic genotypes by the specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR
size estimation ( Leitch and Bennett, 2007 ); however, DAPI is acceptable for relative estimation and ploidy determination as used in the current study ( Parris et al., 2010 ). Chromosome counts are reported for six species ( Table 2 ; Fig. 1A
colchicine treatment. Chromosome counting. The ploidy level was determined by chromosome counting in metaphasic cells ( Rego et al., 2011 ). Chromosome detection was performed as described by Chen et al. (1979) . Two months after colchicine treatment, stem
provided by tetraploid parents combines with a gamete containing one set of chromosomes provided by diploid pollen and forms a triploid zygote ( Acquaah, 2007 ). After identification of ploidy levels from induction treatments, diploid, triploid, and
followed by the processes of validation. Somatic hybrids have been identified first by the complementary and/or intermediate morphology of regenerants followed by confirmation of ploidy level, and finally molecular markers are used to confirm the presence
) supplemented with gibberellic acid, which promotes shoot elongation. When shoots were ≈1 to 2 cm long, individual elongated shoots were moved to RMA rooting medium in Magenta boxes for further hardening and growth. Emergent shoots were analyzed for their ploidy