Accessory Chromosomes in Apples

Abstract

Cytological studies were conducted on two important cultivars of apple with a view to include in future breeding programme. The chromosome behaviour is normal, resulting in well filled pollen grains in the Ambritype. Accessory chromosomes with members of the normal 17 chromosome complement were noted in the variety Kulu Kenya. This appears to be the first report of its kind in temperate fruit trees. Morphologically there exists no distinction between the individual possessing the accessory chromosomes and the trees without them.