Tertiary Trisomic in Capsicum annuum L.

Abstract

A tertiary trisomic was located in the open-pollinated progeny of a second generation interchange heterozygote obtained in the progeny of a triploid Capsicum annuum for the first time. Phenotypically it was remarkable in exhibiting increased height, shortened internodes, dimorphic leaves. Meiotic studies revealed the chromosome number as 2n=25 and a maximum association was a chain of five chromosomes observed in 29.16% of cells. Meiosis was irregular with unequal separation and formation of laggards, micronuclei and polyads. Pollen fertility was reduced to 48.28%. The types and frequencies of meiotic associations formed, origin of tertiary trisomic from the interchange heterozygote and the resaons for altered morphology were discussed.