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Cytotaxonomical analysis of Momordica L. (Cucurbitaceae) species of Indian occurrence

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Abstract

Somatic chromosome number and detailed karyotype analysis were carried out in six Indian Momordica species viz. M. balsamina, M. charantia, M. cochinchinensis, M. dioica, M. sahyadrica and M. cymbalaria (syn. Luffa cymbalaria; a taxon of controversial taxonomic identity). The somatic chromosome number 2n = 22 was reconfirmed in monoecious species (M. balsamina and M. charantia). Out of four dioecious species, the chromosome number was reconfirmed in M. cochinchinensis (2n = 28), M. dioica (2n = 28) and M. subangulata subsp. renigera (2n = 56), while in M. sahyadrica (2n = 28) somatic chromosome number was reported for the first time. A new chromosome number of 2n = 18 was reported in M. cymbalaria against its previous reports of 2n = 16, 22. The karyotype analysis of all the species revealed significant numerical and structural variations of chromosomes. It was possible to distinguish chromosomes of M. cymbalaria from other Momordica species and also between monoecious and dioecious taxa of the genus. Morphology and crossability among the dioecious species was also studied. Evidence from morphology, crossability, pollen viability and chromosome synapsis suggests a segmental allopolyploid origin for M. subangulata subsp. renigera. The taxonomic status of the controversial taxon M. cymbalaria was also discussed using morphological, karyological and crossability data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Vegetable Science, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India

    L. K. BHARATHI, A. D. MUNSHI & T. K. BEHERA

  2. Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India

    VINOD & SHANTI CHANDRASHEKARAN

  3. Molecular Cytogenetic Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751 003, India

    A. B. DAS

  4. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Thrissur, 680 656, India

    K. JOSEPH JOHN

  5. Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Bhubaneswar, 751 019, India

    VISHALNATH

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  1. L. K. BHARATHI
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  2. A. D. MUNSHI
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  3. VINOD
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  4. SHANTI CHANDRASHEKARAN
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  5. T. K. BEHERA
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  6. A. B. DAS
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  7. K. JOSEPH JOHN
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  8. VISHALNATH
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Correspondence to L. K. BHARATHI.

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[Bharathi L. K., Munshi A. D., Vinod, Chandrashekaran S., Behera T. K., Das A. B., John K. J. and Vishalnath 2011 Cytotaxonomical analysis of Momordica L. (Cucurbitaceae) species of Indian occurrence. J. Genet. 90, 21–30]

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BHARATHI, L.K., MUNSHI, A.D., VINOD et al. Cytotaxonomical analysis of Momordica L. (Cucurbitaceae) species of Indian occurrence. J Genet 90, 21–30 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12041-011-0026-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12041-011-0026-5

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