Karyomorphological and Phylogenetic Studies in Different Species of Sorghum L. Moench

Abstract

Karyotypes of six species of Sorghum were analysed in detail. The karyomorphological features of S. intrans, S. propinquum, S. bicolor, S. purpureo-sericeum, S. halepense and S. sudanense showed close similarities at interspecific levels among species with 2n=20 and between species with 2n=40 chromosomes. The extent of chromosome morphology was critically evaluated on the basis of combination of karyotypic parameters like relative length, arm ratio, chromosome index and nucleolar organizers. The results brought out the existence of close similarities among the species notwithstanding the minor structural differences that existed within the species but within limits. The present study confirmed the validity and importance of karyotype analysis with different parameters in distinguishing even the lowest hierarchial level in the genus Sorghum.