COMPARATIVE GENETICS IN THE GRASSES

Comparative genetic studies have demonstrated that gene content and or ders are highly conserved, both at the map and megabase level, between different species within the grass family. Integration of the genetic maps of rice, foxtail millet, sugar cane, sorghum, maize, the Tritice ae cereals and oats into a single synthesis reveals that some chromoso me arrangements characterise taxonomic groups, while others have arise n during or after speciation. A detailed analysis of the comparative m aps of seven species, belonging to three subfamilies, and their applic ations are described below.