Expression of Cytological Variability in Some Miscellaneous Legume Accessions

Authors: Agbolade JO*, Olakunle TP, Popoola KM, Idowu JA, Isiaka AI and Aasa-Sadique AD

Volume 3, Issue 1

Abstract

Variability studies through mitotic and meiotic analyses were considered among twelve (12) species of miscellaneous legumes with two accessions of each species considered. The mitotic and meiotic procedures were carried out following an appropriate relevant literature. Generally, the somatic chromosome counts of 2n=22 were very common in the various stages observed, with the meiotic count of n=11. The mitotic metaphase chromosome were small in sizes and could be described as being metacentric and sub metacentric, often with one or two pair of satellite chromosomes. Many accessions revealed small chromosomes in most of the species that were not easily distinguished in mitotic cells, most significantly observed in the Vigna spp; Vigna radiata (green gram), Vigna mungo (mung bean) etc. and in Sphenostylis stenocarpa (African yam bean). Although, somatic chromosome counts of 2n = 22 and meiotic number of n = 11are very common among the studied accessions, there is also evidence that chromosome number different from this has been reported for miscellaneous legumes, hence there is an expression of variability in the cytological behaviors of the studied taxa.

Keywords: Mitotic; Meiotic; Variability; Chromosome; Accession

View PDF