Cytology of Vicia Species. 5. Nuclear Chromatin Structure, Karyomorphological Analysis and DNA Content in Newly Discovered Relatives of Vicia faba L. : Vicia kalakhensis Khattab, Maxted et Bisby and Vicia eristalioides Maxted

Abstract

Three species of the Vicia narbonensis complex, namely V. narbonensis L., V. kalakensis Khattab, Maxted et Bisby and V. eristalioides Maxted were analysed for different karyobiological features; the nuclear DNA content and DNA absorption curves were determined, karyomorphometric data were generated using an automated image analysis system and the distribution and staining properties of heterochromatin in metaphase chromosomes, were assessed.
Feulgen absorptions at different thresholds of optical density provided evidence of organisation of the chromatin interphase nuclei and allowed an evaluation of the heterochromatin amount as determined with a cytophotometrical approach. The precise chromosomal measurements were utilised for computing karyomorphological indices.