Karyomorphological studies on four species of Zingiber Adns.

Abstract

Detailed karyomorphology of four species of Zingiber from South India, has been studied, namely Z. officinale (2n=22), Z. zerumbet (2n=22), Z. wightianum (2n=22) and Z. macrostachyum (2n=22). Karyomorphological data indicate that except Z. officinale, where it is relatively symmetrical (1A), all the other three species are moderately asymmetrical (2A).Chromosomal evolution on the genus is discussed in the light of available cytological findings. The data show that this is a monobasic genus with x=11. Although the karyotypes of the four species showed general uniformity, in final details recognisable differences were noticed with regard to distribution of secondary constrictions and centromere positions of a few individual chromosomes. It is evident that numerical and gross structural changes in chromosomes have not played any maior role in si eciation and evolution of the genus.