A New Basic Chromosome Number for Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae)

Abstract

The chromosome number of Amaranthus tenuifolius Willd. has been found to be 2n=28 which gives a new basic number (x=14) for the genus Amaranthus; previously characterized by x=16 or x=17. The karyotype of A. tenuifolius shows distinct features and is more symmetrical than that of other 14 grain and vegetable amaranth species studied.