Heterochromatic differentiation in barley chromosomes revealed by C- and N-banding techniques

Summary Heterochromatin distribution in barley chromosomes was investigated by analyzing the C- and N-banding patterns of four cultivars. Enzymatic maceration and air drying were employed for the preparation of the chromosome slides. Although the two banding patterns were generally similar to each other, a clear difference was observed between them at the centromeric sites on all chromosomes. Every centromeric site consisted of N-banding positive and C-banding negative (N⁺ C^–) heterochromatin in every cultivar examined. An intervarietal polymorphism of heterochromatin distribution was confirmed in each of the banding techniques. The appearance frequencies of some bands were different between the two banding techniques and among the cultivars. The heterochromatic differentiation observed is discussed with respect to cause.