Cytomorphological Studies in a Spontaneous Triploid of Capsicum annuum L.

Abstract

Cytomorphology of the spontaneous triploid in Capsicum annuum has been studied. Comparative karyomorphology of diploid and triploid revealed marked differences in respect of growth habit, pollen fertility and floral characters as seen from the increased plant parts, delayed growth and prolonged flowering in the triploid. Colour of the fruit and its nature do not show much difference, but marked difference is seen in fruit size and in the ratio of healthy and sterile seeds.
Cytology of the triploid reveals that it is an autotriploid. Meiosis in triploid has various chromosome associations like univalents, bivalents and trivalents 1 to 11, 1 to 6 and 6 to 12 respectively. Quadrivalents were observed in a few cells. Fertility is poor in the triploid and an aneuploid with 2n=26 chromosomes was obtained from the triploid progeny.