Chromosome segregation in an allotetraploid banana hybrid (AAAB) suggests a translocation between the A and B genomes and results in eBSV-free offsprings

Many banana cultivars (including the Plantain type) are triploid interspecific hybrids between Musa acuminata (A genome) and Musa balbisiana (B genome). M. balbisiana contains endogeneous Banana streak virus sequences (eBSVs) that can, in interspecific genome context, spontaneously release infectious viral genomes. We analyzed, a triploid progeny of 184 individuals from a cross between a tetraploid AAAB breeding accession (CRBP39) and the diploid AA accession (Pahang) with 38 SSR and eBSV-specific PCR markers. The results showed that (1) most of the alleles are found/transmitted in the expected frequency to the progeny with only 10 % biased; (2) 70 % of the loci displayed a tetrasomic allele segregation and (3) interspecific intrachromosomal recombinations occurred for all the chromosome segments surveyed. However, half of the offspring obtained resulted from maternal unbalanced gametes transmission. Analysis of gamete composition and marker association suggested the presence of a large translocation between A and B genome involving chromosome 1 and 3. The two infectious eBSVs present in the maternal parent CRBP39 are located on chromosome 1B and appeared in a higher proportion than expected in the progeny. Interestingly, we showed that both eBSVs were absent from 24 offspring that represent promising material for breeding.