Cytological studies in <i>Coix aquatica</i> Roxb. (2n =10): A possible origin of aneuploids

Abstract

Coix aquatica (2n = 10) is one of the three species of Coix L. occurring in Maharashtra. The detailed meiotic behavior, chromosome number, and pollen fertility were studied in three distantly located populations of Coix aquatica Roxb. The progeny has been studied as single plant cytology for three consecutive generations. All the three populations of the species had the diploid chromosome number of 2n = 10, and morphologically they were all alike except some minor differences like height of the plant, number of tillers, shape and size of seed. The plants of the population from Tuljapur (Dist. Oosmanabad) had narrow leaves and comparatively smaller conchate seeds. The behavior of their chromosomes during meiosis was normal in first two generations. While screening the third open pollinated generation, three plants from the Aundha-nagnath shown different chromosomal behavior though the chromosome number was same i.e. 2n = 10. It results in to various abnormalities like, univalents at diakinesis, precocious movement at metaphase, laggards and early segregation in to chromatids during anaphase I etc. Therefore, the plants has been deeply investigated for results at the end of meiosis-II, and it is presented in the present communication.