Cytological Studies in Iran Zira from Three Genus : Bunium, Carum and Cuminum

Abstract

Cytological studies were carried out in zira of Iran, comprising Bunium persicum, B. cylidricum, B. chaerophylloids, Cuminum cyminum and Carum carvi.
Somatic chromosome number determined were 2n =14, 20, 12 and 14 respectively. High coefficient of correlation for total chromosome length indicated presence of a homogenous group. However low correlation values for short arm length, long arm length and 1/s ratio indicate occurrence of structural changes of chromosomes, among different populations of each species.
Cluster analysis of karyotypic data showed similarity between some of the populations. Cophenetic correlations obtained from comparisions of clusters with original data showed a good fit of analysis. Different method of clustering produced the same results, indicating distinctness of clusters.
Meiotic analysis with regard to chiasma distribution showed lack of heterogenity among different populations and between the species studied.