Detection of specific chromosome reduction in rice somatic hybrids with the A, B, and C genomes by multi-color genomic in situ hybridization

A multi-color genomic in situ hybridization (McGISH) method has been developed. Three different rice genomes, A, B and C, involved in rice somatic hybrids were distinguished using three different fluorescent signals. All the rice chromosomes from the different genomes could be identified by different fluorescent colors, and the distribution of each genome in the nucleus was clearly visualized under a fluorescence microscope. The relationship between chromosomal constitution and morphological variations observed in the somatic hybrids, and the utility of McGISH, are discussed based on the results currently obtained.