Original Research

Basic chromosome numbers and polyploid levels in some South African and Australian grasses (Poaceae)

J. J. Spies, E. van der Merwe, H. du Plessis, E. J. L. Saayman
Bothalia | Vol 21, No 2 | a882 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/abc.v21i2.882 | © 1991 J. J. Spies, E. van der Merwe, H. du Plessis, E. J. L. Saayman | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 15 October 1991 | Published: 15 October 1991

About the author(s)

J. J. Spies, Department of Botany and Genetics. University of the Orange Free State, South Africa
E. van der Merwe, Grassland Research Centre, South Africa
H. du Plessis, National Botanical Institute., South Africa
E. J. L. Saayman, National Botanical Institute, South Africa

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Abstract

Chromosome numbers of 46 specimens of grasses, involving 24 taxa from South Africa and Australia, have been determined during the present study. For the first time chromosome numbers are given for Eragrostis sarmentosa (Thunb.) Trin. (n = 20). Panicum aequinerve Nees (n = 18),  Digitaria argyrograpta (Nees) Stapf (n = 9) and D. maitlandii Stapf & C.E. Hubb. (n = 9). Additional polyploid levels are described for Diplachne fusca (L.) Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. (n = 10) and Digitaria diagonalis (Nees) Stapf var.  diagonalis (n = 9).

B-chromosomes were observed in several different specimens. The presence of B-chromosomes often results in abnormal chromosomal behaviour during meiosis.


Keywords

chromosome numbers; meiosis; Poaceae. polyploidy; southern Africa

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