Pterocypsela is a very important traditional Chinese medicine from the tribe Cichorieae of Asteraceae. Mitotic chromosome numbers and karyotypes are reported for P. formosana and P. elata from Hunan and Hubei province, China. The former is new and the latter provide confirmation of previous reference. All P. taxa are diploidy with 2n = 18 and their basic number is tentatively suggested as x = 9. Karyotype of Pterocypsela is 2A and P. formosana with a karyotype formula of 2n = 2x = 18 = 4m + 14sm, and 2n = 2x = 18 = 2m + 8sm +8st for P. elata. It is the first time to report the AI value for Pterocypsela in this paper. Cytological data of chromosomal numbers and karyotypes were used to discuss the close relationships of the Pterocypsela genus and the taxonomy of the medicinal plants.
Asteraceae ; classification ; cytology ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Plant ; genetics ; Diploidy ; Karyotyping

In the present paper, three Coptis species, collected from Sichuan and Chongqing, China, were used for karyotypic analyses. The results indicated that both C. chinensis and C. omeinensis were diploid with chromosome 2n = 2x = 18, and C. deltoidea was an autotriploid with chromosomes 2n = 3x = 27, which explained why this species was morphologically so isolated from other species and its sterile and narrow distributing regions. The relationship between C. chinensis and C. omeinensis based on chromosome data was discussed. The probable origin of C. deltoidea was also suggested.
China ; Chromosomes, Plant ; genetics ; Coptis ; genetics ; Diploidy ; Karyotyping

OBJECTIVETo study the karyotype of four Ephedra plants in order to provide the cytologic evidence for the genetic diversity and identification genetic resources of Ephedra.

METHODThe roots of germinating seeds were used to study the karyotype of four Ephedra plants by staining and slide-preparing technique of mitotic chromosomes.

RESULTthe optimal root-sampling time was about 10: 20 - 10:40 am. Using 0.002 mol x L(-1) 8-Hydroxyquinoline to pretreating the intravital root tips, the optimal pretreatment time for E. Sinica, E. intermedina, E. equisetina and E. przewalskii was 4, 5, 4.5 and 3.5 h, respectively. E. przewalskii and E. equisetina were diploid, E. Sinica and E. intermedina were belonged quadruple. The karyotype formulae of the four species were 2n = 2x = 14 = 2M + 8m + 4sm, 2n = 2x = 14 = 10m + 4st, 2n = 4x = 28 = 20m (2SAT) +8st, and 2n = 4x = 28 = 20m (SAT) + 6st + 2sm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONAll the karyotypes of four Ephedra species were 2A type, which was the symmetric karyotype.

Chromosomes, Plant ; genetics ; Ephedra ; cytology ; genetics ; Karyotyping ; methods ; Mitosis

OBJECTIVEStudy on the karyotypes analysis of Ferula fukanensis.

METHODThe young roots were treated with 0.000 2 mol x L(1) 8-Hydroxyquinoline for 3 h, carnoy's for 3 h, 1 mol x L(-1) HCl in 5 min,carbol fuchsin coloration for 2 min and the treated roots were utilizied to make the plate for observation.

RESULTThe fukanensis is diploid. The chromosome number of somatic cells was 2n = 22. The karyotype formula is 2n = 2x = 20 = 16m + 4sm. The 4th and 10th are submetacentric, and the others are metacentric.

CONCLUSIONThe karyotype of F. fukanensis belongs to "2A" type of stebbins', and it is a primitive species.

Centromere ; Chromosomes, Plant ; genetics ; Diploidy ; Ferula ; genetics ; Karyotyping ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Seeds ; genetics

Plants with alien genomic components (alien chromosomes / chromosomal fragments / genes) are important materials for genomic research and crop improvement. To date, four strategies based on trait observation, chromosome analysis, specific proteins, and DNA sequences have been developed for the identification of alien genomic components. Among them, DNA sequence-based molecular markers are mainly used to identify alien genomic components. This review summarized several molecular markers for identification of alien genomic components in wheat, cabbage and other important crops. We also compared the characteristics of nine common molecular markers, such as simple sequence repeat (SSR), insertion-deletion (InDel) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). In general, the accuracy of using a combination of different identification methods is higher than using a single identification method. We analyzed the application of different combination of identification methods, and provided the best combination for wheat, brassica and other crops. High-throughput detection can be easily achieved by using the new generation molecular markers such as InDel and SNP, which can be used to determine the precise localization of alien introgression genes. To increase the identification efficiency, other new identification methods, such as microarray comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) and suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH), may also be included.
Chromosomes, Plant ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; Genome, Plant/genetics* ; Genomics ; Triticum/genetics*

Leymus racemosus had a high resistant capacity to wheat scab (Fusarum head blight). The transfer of scab resistant gene from L. racemosus to Triticum aestivum is of great significance for broadening the germplasm of wheat resistance. To obtain Triticum aestivum-Leymus racemosus translocation line with scab resistance, we irradiated the pollen of T. aestivum-L. racemosus disomic addition line DA7Lr by ⁶⁰Co-γ-rays 1 200 R (100 R/min) prior to pollinating to emasculation T. aestivum cv. Chinese Spring. One plant with one translocation chromosome was detected in the M1 by GISH. The plant with one translocation chromosome was self-pollinated, and at meiotic metaphase I its progenies with two translocation chromosomes were analyzed for chromosome pairing behavior in their pollen mother cells (PMCs). One rod bivalent was observed at meiotic metaphase I, indicating that the plant with two translocation chromosomes was one translocation homozygote. Sequential GISH-FISH analysis, using Oligo-pAs1-2 and Oligo-pSc119.2-2 as probe, translocation line was confirmed as T6DL·7LrS. The translocation line had higher resistance to wheat scab and feasibility to be used as a new source in wheat breeding resistant to scab disease.
Chromosomes, Plant ; Disease Resistance ; genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Plant Breeding ; Plant Diseases ; genetics ; Poaceae ; genetics ; Pollen ; Translocation, Genetic ; Triticum ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the numbers of chromosome in Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza from 7 provinces in China, and S. flava as well as S. evansiana from Yunnan province in China.

METHODThe young root was treated with the mixture of ice and water for 24 h, fixed with Carony's fixative for 6-12 h. After differentiating for 10-12 min with 1 mol x L(-1) hydrochloric acid at 60 'C and staining with carbol fuchsin,the section was observed under microscope.

RESULTChromosome numbers of S. miltiorrhiza and S.flava were 2n = 2x = 16. The numbers of S. evansiana were 2n = 4x = 32. The basic numbers of the chromosomes were x = 8. And tetraploids were observed in S. miltiorrhiza from Sichuan provices and Shandong provices.

CONCLUSIONThe basic number of the chromosomes are x = 8. The chromosome numbers of S. miltiorrhiza, S.flava and S. evansiana are 16,16 and 32 respectively. As the chromosomes are the small or micro-small ones, it is difficult to use them for karyotype.

Chromosomes, Plant ; genetics ; Diploidy ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Polyploidy ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; classification ; genetics ; Species Specificity

This is a review of the advantages of polyploid in medicinal plants, their applications and identification. The common methods for the induction of polyploidy are summarized, and the problems to be dealt with are discussed.
Biotechnology ; methods ; Chromosomes, Plant ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Plant Diseases ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; genetics ; growth & development ; Polyploidy

OBJECTIVETo establish a seed testing methods for Salvia miltiorrhiza.

METHODReferring to the International Seed Testing Rules made by ISTA and the Seed Testing for Crops (GB/T3543. 1-1995) issued by China.

RESULTThe seeds are selected by winnowing; the seed purity is about 50%-60%; 100 grain weight is used to determine the quality of the seed; the seed moisture content is determined by air drying, the drying hour is 3 h. Seed viability is tested by TFC method.

Chromosomes, Plant ; genetics ; Germination ; Quality Control ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Seeds ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo establish an effective protocol for plant generation and induce polyploidy of Morinda offcinalis.

METHODCallus was induced from immature embryo of M. officinalis and polyploidy was inducted by using colchicine treatment method. Chromosome was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe highest induction rate of polyploidy was 18.40%, which was obtained with 500 mg x L(-1) colchicine treatment for 5 days. Roots of polyploid were bigger than diploid. Advantages of using immature embryo as explants are easy for sterilization, higher rate of callus induction and low degree dedifferentiation. The induced polyploidy of M. officinalis may have a value for spread of cultivation.

Chromosomes, Plant ; genetics ; Morinda ; genetics ; growth & development ; Polyploidy ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; methods