Meiotic Studies in Some Species of Pennisetum (L.) Rich. (Poaceae)

Abstract

Meiosis was studied in twelve species of Pennisetum covering three basic chromosome numbers viz. x=7, 8 and 9. Except P. americanum, P. violaceum and P. hohenackeri all others were found to be polyploids. The auto- or allopolyploid nature of these species was discussed basing on the meiotic behaviour of the cytotypes examined. It is inferred that P. mezianum, P. divisum and P. orientale are autotetraploids while P. setaceum is an allotriploid, P. purpureum and P. clandestinum tetraploids, P. villosum an allopentaploid and P. squamulatum and P. polystachion allohexaploids. The possible causes for the stabilization of these species suggested.