G C A T T A C G G C A T genes Review How to Become an Apomixis Model: The Multifaceted Case of Paspalum Juan Pablo A. Ortiz 1, Fulvio Pupilli 2, Carlos A. Acuña 3, Olivier Leblanc 4 and Silvina C. Pessino 1,* 1 Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Agrarias de Rosario (IICAR), CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, S2125ZAA Zavalla, Argentina;
[email protected] 2 Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources (IBBR-CNR), 06128 Perugia, Italy;
[email protected] 3 Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste (IBONE), CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, 3400 Corrientes, Argentina;
[email protected] 4 UMR DIADE, IRD, Univ. Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected] Received: 13 July 2020; Accepted: 17 August 2020; Published: 21 August 2020 Abstract: In the past decades, the grasses of the Paspalum genus have emerged as a versatile model allowing evolutionary, genetic, molecular, and developmental studies on apomixis as well as successful breeding applications. The rise of such an archetypal system progressed through integrative phases, which were essential to draw conclusions based on solid standards. Here, we review the steps adopted in Paspalum to establish the current body of knowledge on apomixis and provide model breeding programs for other agronomically important apomictic crops. In particular, we discuss the need for previous detailed cytoembryological and cytogenetic germplasm characterization;