The transfer of chromosomes and/or segments between related species can be used in the development of novel plant phenotypes and also provides an important resource both for dissecting the genetic control of important traits and gene isolation. Harper et al. describe the generation and the molecular and cytological characterization of seven monosomic substitution lines between Lolium perenne and Festuca pratensis. Parallels between the this system and cereals such as wheat and barley and the model grass Brachypodium distachyon present opportunities for a comparison across the species in terms of genotype and phenotype.
