Mapping of a chromosome pairing gene and 5S rRNA genes in Triticum aestivum L. by a spontaneous deletion in chromosome arm 5Bp

A deletion in the p arm of chromosome 5B of Triticum aestivum L. cv. Chinese Spring was identified by C-banding during the production of disomic substitutions of 6B of Aegilops longissima Schweinf. et Muschl. for chromosome 5B of cv. Chinese Spring. The deletion was terminal with a breakpoint just proximal to the interstitial C-band. The degree of metaphase I chromosome pairing in plants homozygous for the deletion indicated that the chromosome pairing promoting gene known to be in the p arm of chromosome 5B is located in the deleted portion of that arm. Additionally, all of the 5S ribosomal RNA genes known to exist on arm 5Bp were mapped to this deleted portion.