Cytogenetic studies in four species of Chlorophytum Ker-Gawl. (Liliaceae)

• Published in: Nucleus (Calcutta) Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 123 - 132
• Main Authors: Basu, Sautrik, Jha, Timir Baran
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Springer-Verlag 01-12-2011
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell Biology; Life Sciences; Original Article; Somatic and gametic chromosomes; Polysomaty; Chromosomal database; Karyotype
• ISSN: 0029-568X; 0976-7975
• DOI: 10.1007/s13237-011-0039-8

Chlorophytum
Ker-Gawl is a large and taxonomically complex genus having two basic chromosome numbers (
x
 = 7 and 8). The genus includes few medicinally important species as well as some ornamentals having horticultural value. The present investigation deals with detailed comaparative chromosome analysis from somatic and gametic cells of two medicinally important (
C
.
borivilianum
and
C. nepalense
) and two ornamental species (
C.laxum
and
C. comosum
) of
Chlorophytum
. Results revealed considerable variation in karyotypic characteristics and meiotic behavior among all the species/cultivars investigated. The results can be effectively used as a comprehensive chromosomal database for future studies.