A Genomic Approach to Study Apomixis using Eragrostis curvula as a Model Species

CARBALLO J; GARBUS I; SELVA JP; SANTOS BACM; ALBERTINI E; CACCAMO M; ECHENIQUE V

San Diego

Conferencia; Plant and Animal Genome XXVI; 2018

Apomixis is defined as asexual reproduction by seeds, avoiding meiotic reduction and fertilization, being generally present in polyploid plant species. Eragrostis curvula is a perennial grass native to Southern Africa. This species can be taken as a model for the discovery of genes that govern pseudogamous diplosporic  apomixis since its polyploid cytotypes (4x to 8x) may undergo sexual reproduction, facultative apomixis, or obligate apomixis whereas diploids are always sexual.