Secondary chromosome associations in Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum tenuiflorum L.

Abstract

Meiotic analysis performed in O. basilicum L. (2n=72) and O. tenuiflorum L. (2n=36) demonstrated persistent presence of secondary association of chromosomes in 94.74 and 85.16 per cent metaphase I cells respectively. Secondary polyploidy has been attributed as the possible cause of secondary association of chromosomes and the basic chromosome number for both species has been suggested to be x=12 with probable origin from primitive base number x=6 through polyploidy. © 2005 The Japan Mendel Society.