Abstract

MEIOTIC STUDIES OF TWO CYTOTYPES OF CHENOPODIUM ALBUM L. FROM NORTHERN INDIA

Rupinderpal Kaur*

Abstract

The analysis of 10 populations of Chenopodium album L. showed all to be tetraploid (2n=36) and hexaploid (2n=54). The analyzed populations displayed two cytotypes. Detailed meiotic course and pollen fertility studies have been carried out. Meiosis was normal with equal segregation of chromosomes at anaphase-I. Six species showed the presence of Laggards, bridges and vagrants chromosomes in good amount of PMCs. Among the analyzed populations 3.22% -24.07% PMCs showed the presence of cytoplasmic channels among themselves involving 2-3 to 19-21 PMC at a time. These abnormalities in chromosome segregation leads to formation of diads, triads, polyads and tetrad with micronuclei. Pollen size ranges from 20.23Χ20.19 to 17.33Χ16.51 and pollen fertility ranges from 74.32%―100%. The small sized micro pollens were mainly sterile in nature and contributed to overall pollen fertility.

Keywords: Chenopodium album L., meiosis, pollen fertility.