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Title: UTILIZATION OF A COMPUTERIZED IMAGE ANALYSIS SYSTEM TO CHARACTERIZE ALFALFACHROMOSOMES

Author
item Bauchan, Gary
item HOSSAIN, M - USDA-ARS

Submitted to: Chromosome Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/5/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: A computerized image analysis system has been co-developed by Loats Associates, Inc. and ARS scientists to characterize and identify the individual chromosomes of cultivated alfalfa (Medicago sativa ssp. sativa). The Karyotyper software module which has been developed for measuring the alfalfa chromosomes utilizes Loats Associates Inquiry Image Analysis System. Two germplasm sources were studied, the cultivar 'Saranac', a dormant type of alfalfa and the 'African' germplasm, a nondormant type of alfalfa. An improved computerized image analysis system was utilized to quantify the measurements of the chromosomes. The analysis revealed that alfalfa possess four nearly identical sets of chromosomes based on chromosome morphology. The tetraploid genome of alfalfa consists of eight sets of four homologous chromosomes. This PC-based system has become an integral part of our modern cytogenetic investigations of chromosomes, because it is less expensive than the typical main frame computer systems and is particularly effective for critically characterizing plant chromosomes which have been difficult to analyze due to their very similar chromosome morphology and small size.

Technical Abstract: A computerized image analysis system has been co-developed by Loats Associates, Inc. and ARS scientists to characterize and identify the individual chromosomes of cultivated alfalfa (Medicago sativa ssp. sativa). The Karyotyper software module which has been developed for measuring the alfalfa chromosomes utilizes Loats Associates Inquiry Image Analysis System. Two germplasm sources were studied, the cultivar 'Saranac', a dormant type of alfalfa and the 'African' germplasm, a nondormant type of alfalfa. An improved computerized image analysis system was utilized to quantify the measurements of the chromosomes. The analysis revealed that alfalfa possess four nearly identical sets of chromosomes based on chromosome morphology. The tetraploid genome of alfalfa consists of eight sets of four homologous chromosomes. This PC-based system has become an integral part of our modern cytogenetic investigations of chromosomes, because it is less expensive than the typical main frame computer systems and is particularly effective for critically characterizing plant chromosomes which have been difficult to analyze due to their very similar chromosome morphology and small size.