Meiotic Studies in Some Members of Tribe Andropogoneae (Poaceae) from Semi Desert Area of North India

Abstract

The present research work deals with the male meiotic study of 20 species belonging to 14 genera under the tribe Andropogoneae. Five species show meiotic abnormalities in the form of multivalents, laggards, bridges, unoriented bivalents, etc. and the other 15 species have normal meiotic behavior. All these abnormalities lead to heterogeneous sized pollen grains and low frequency of pollen fertility. Two species, Hemarthria compressa (2n=18+0-1B) and Imperata cylindrica (2n=20+0-2B), show the presence of accessory chromosomes along with the normal meiotic chromosome numbers. Chrysopogon serrulatus with 2n=60 is a first-time reported hexaploid cytotype.