Cytological studies on pearl millet, Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.) Stapf et C.E. Hubbard (Paniceae, Gramineae)

Date

4-1986

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Liwayway M. Engle

Abstract

Pearl millet, Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.) Stapf et C.E. Hubbard, is a robust annual bunchgrass that is being cultivated primarily for grain and forage productions. It is an excellent organism for research toward the solution of unanswered questions of genetic and cytogenetic significance. It is a diploid with a low basic chromosome number of seven (n = 7). From a cytogenetic standpoint, the pearl millet has not received much attention. Cytological studies were , confined the determination of karyotypes. The present study aims to determine the chromosome number of an accession of P typhoides from the collection of the Institute of Plant Breeding, U.P. at Los Banos and to study the meiotic behavior of the chromosomes, Seeds of pearl millet were sown and grown in a demonstration plot. Flower buds from one generation were fixed in acetic alcohol. Anther smears were made using acetocarmine squash technique. Behavior of the chromosomes during meiosis was observed in ten replicate plants. Pollen fertility was determined in the same ten plants using 12KI. Normal behavior of chromosomes in pollen mother cells during melosis was observed together with several abnormalities. Two different chromosome numbers have been determined: n=7 and n=9. Chromosome number n=9 was observed in seven out of ten plants. Plants with n=7 were identified as P. typhoides but those with n=9 could not be positively identified. Pollen fertility of pearl millet varied from 67.5 to 73.5%. Some degree of pollen sterility resulted from irregularities in pre-meiotic stages.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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