More understanding is required of the behaviour, interaction and stability of parental and introduced DNA in sexual and somatic hybrids, transgenic plants and their seed progeny. For plant breeding programmes, the parental chromosome sets can rarely be identified unequivocally in both inter- and intra-specific hybrids. Consequently, classical cytogenic analysis has proved inadequate for completely resolving the fate of parental DNA or determining the extent of genome interaction in hybrids. Similarly, determining the chromosomal location of foreign genes in transgenic plants still presents difficulties.

To enhance and accelerate plant breeding programmes by allowing visualisation of parental genomes, chromosomes and chromosome segments in sexual and somatic hybrids and transgenic plants. In particular, a clearer understanding of gene flow from wild to culitivated species will facilitate the development of improved varieties.

Methods will be developed for target species within RNRRS programmes. These methods will facilitate visualisation of parental chromosomes and/or chromosome fragments in sexual and somatic hybrids. They will also allow characterisation of transgenic plants to determine the location, orientation and size of the foreign DNA. A training manual and video will be produced.