Hi all. Quick question. I bought a compot of ten phrags. They are 4N x 2N, and were labeled 3N. They are now 5 months out of the flask. 7 of them are growing uniformly, but the other 3 have taken off as of they are from another, much older grouping. They are uniform to each other and much larger than their siblings. So, my question is, is this difference due to natural selection among seedlings or is it due to different genetic counts?
judy

What you are seeing is fairly general. Whether a flask or compot, there are usually 1 or 2 plants that outgrow the rest, its not uncommon. 2n, 3n, 4n it doesn't matter.

I you follow genetics yes but there is still what you call incomplete division were in one becomes 1 n and the other is 3n so combined with the other it still be 4n this does not happens often but it can.


Ramon:D

Ramon -

You are speaking of aneuploidy, which basically means not all chromosomes have a matching partner. Yes, it can happen, though I cannot say for certain what can be used to determine if it is absolutely present other than chromosome counting. And note that it tends to happen with individual chromosomes rather than entire sets of chromosomes. Triploid plants can grow faster than either tetraploid or diploid plants, and the reason is not well defined. I think in this case your plants are almost certainly triploid, as Phrags all tend to produce triploid offspring from a 2N x 4N cross.

Thanks to everyone who responded. I bought them knowing that despite growing faster, 3N plant are sterile. I just like the idea of growing out a "litter" and keeping the two I like best for myself.
judy