Mitotic Analysis in Thirteen Varieties of Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill sp.

Abstract

The somatic chromosomes studied in the root tips of thirteen varieties of C. cajan revealed that all the varieties had the same chromosome number (2n=22) but there is much variation in their chromosome morphology. The total chromatin length was maximum (51.2μ) in variety NP 41 and its minimum value was noted in variety Ranchi. When the individual chromosomes were taken into account the shortest (1.0μ) and the largest (3.0μ) chromosomes were recorded in var. Ranchi and var. PT 301 respectively. The TF percent was maximum in variety Mothihari (45.05) and minimum in variety PT 301. The SAT chromosomes were noted in varieties T1, No 148 and NP 80. On the basis of D² values the varieties were classified into seven distinct groups. (A-varieties PT 301; ILRI and 7S; B-T1 and C11; C-NP 39 and NP 80; D-Ranchi; E-NP 41, Motihari and BR 60; F-No 148 and G-Assam). This indicates that the variety formation in C. cajan had taken place mainly due to the change in the chromosome morphology and nature of genes.