Karyotypes of the A and B genomes of Musa L.

Abstract

Karyotypes of the A and B genomes of Musa L. were prepared using a technique involving squashing of 0.02 M hydroxyquinoline-treated and HCl-fixed root tips. The wild diploids had 2n=22 chromosomes. Mitotic metaphase chromosomes of both the AA ('Calcutta 4', M. accuminata Colla) and BB ('Butohan 2', M. balbisiana Colla) taxa ranged from 1.4 to 3.6 μm in length and showed great similarity in structure and size. The genomic chromosome complement in a somatic cell of the 2 species was made up of 10 metacentric, 6 submetacentric, 4 subacrocentric and 2 acrocentric chromosomes. The 2 largest submetacentric chromosomes in each of the diploid species had secondary constrictions. The 2 species did not show obvious differences in their karyotypes. © 2006 The Japan Mendel Society.