ASSESSING TWO ISPAGHULA VARIETIES (PLANTAGO OVATA FORSSK.) FOR ITS KARYOTYPE SYMMETRY/ASYMMETRY USING CYTOLOGICAL MARKER CENTROMERE LOCATION AND SIZE OF CHROMOSOMES

Abstract

Plantago ovata varieties namely, mayuri and niharika seeds material were germinated in the laboratory for root tips (2-3 cm). Somatic root tip cells were processed through conventional 2% acetocarmine staining squash technique for karyotype and photomicrograph was captured. Somatic chromosome number for both was counted 2n=2x=8.  karyotype assessment, based on chromosome length and size, found more symmetric in P. ovata var. mayuri (inter chromosomal asymmetry). karyotype assessment estimated more inconsistent centromeric position for P. ovata var. niharika (intrachromosomal asymmetry). Inconsistent centromere position over chromosome length causes sub-telocentric or telocentric chromosomes which increase the asymmetry. karyotype asymmetry was classified as 2A for both the Ispaghula varieties (Stebbins classification).