Abstract
Twelve populations of Anthemis tinctoria L. (yellow camomile) medicinal plant belonging to the tribe Anthemideae within the family Compositae, from different Iranian origins were studied in aspect of cytogenetical marker. Root tips were examined for karyological studies. Chromosome counts from 12 populations confirm the base chromosome number at x=9 with numerous 2n=2x=18 diploids. The most chromosomes in all populations were metacentric and a few chromosomes were sub-metacentric and were located in Stebbins classes (SC) 1A. The mean length of total chromosome varied from 5.414 μm in A. tinctoria-1 (Kordestan, Baneh) to 7.205 μm in A. tinctoria-9 (East Azerbaijan, Garacheman). In addition, A. tinctoria-10 (West Azerbaijan, Sardasht) with the highest of A1, A2 (interachromosomal, interchromosal asymmetry index), AR (Arm Ratio) and L% (Relative Length of Long Arm) had karyotype heterogeneity. The results of principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (Ward) based on chromosomal characteristics and karyotype asymmetry, categorized the twelve populations separated into three groups. This finding may provide useful information for Anthemis tinctoria evolutionary, genetic and breeding studies.
