A Chromosome Study of Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) in Northern Colorado
نویسنده
چکیده
Chromosomes were studied in somatic cells of 60 plants of blue grama, Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag ex Griffiths, collectedfrom a 7-hectarefield ofnative range at the Central Plains Experiment Range (CPER), Nunn, Colorado, to determine chromosome constitution in relation to the plant characteristics. Somatic chromosomes were studied in root tips collected from vigorously growingplants in the greenhouse. Acetocarmine squash method was used to make slide preparation. The majority of the plants were 2n =40. However, threeplants were 2n =50 and two were 2n =60. The pentaploidplants (2n =50) were recorded for the first time in this report. Additional 94 plants collectedfrom entire CPER were a1l2n =40. The basic chromosome number of blue grama was determined to be x=lO. There was no significant relation between chromosome number and morphological traits: culm height and number, basal diameter, and plant dry weight.
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