Studies on the Karyotype of the Genus <i>Musa|</I> L.

Abstract

The development of a simple way to display and study the mitotic chromosomes of Musa plant is reported in the present paper. Use of enzyme mixture has been employed to arrive at this less expensive method. Enzyme mixture was used to digest the root-tips. The mixture and the root-tips were incubated at 370 C in water bath for 2 hours. After the digestion, the root-tips became very soft and were handled with care. Just one drop of 3:1 absolute alcohol/acetic acid solution was used to burst the cells. This method involved both economy of material and time.

Derived chromosomes were without breakages. This is an encouraging result that could be used for further research into Musa species. Appropriate precautions taken on application of 3:1 alcohol /acetic acid solution in maceration produced safe structures of chromosomes. This work also provides prime record of the production of the karyotype of Musa plants. Photo–idiograms and idiograms of M. acuminata and M. balbisiana, which are the ancestors of the edible bananas and plantains were clearly outlined.

KEY WORDS: Musa, Cytology, Mitotic Chromosomes, Karyotype.

Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.3(1&2) 2004: 69-74