Chromosomes of Ginkgo biloba

Abstract

This review is an attempt to summarize all cytogenetic studies in Ginkgo biloba including chromosome number, karyotype, chromosome banding, physical mapping, and genome size. Because several karyotypes and idiograms in which chromosomes were arranged in various orders have been reported, I wish to propose a standard karyotype for future study. I show some results of fluorescent banding and physical mapping of ribosomal RNA genes. These results are discussed with the sex chromosomes. The techniques of chromosome observation are appended in the last section for future chromosome studies.