DNA methylation changes in rice induced by Zizania latifolia (Griseb.) DNAintrogression

DNA methylation changes were observed in all five studied introgression lin es derived from a non-conventional F-1 hybrid between rice and a perennial wild species Zizania latifolia (Griseb.) Turcz. ex Stapf. The changes were found to be a general occurrence involving all types of analyzed DNA sequen ces, both random genomic DNA and known-function genes. The changed RFLP pat terns due to DNA methylation changes were highly heritable among selfed gen erations. Our results may have implications for crop improvement by the int roduction of alien genes via conventional sexual hybridization.