Cytology of Allium roylei Stearn. I. Meiosis in a Population with Complex Interchanges

Abstract

An accession of A. roylei Stearn, a diploid species with 2n=16, growing in Northwest Himalayas, was studied for reduction division in male track. Multivalent associations involving 3 to 16 chromosomes were observed in cells at diplotene and metaphase-I. Although anaphasic segregations were mostly normal, the pollen stainability was very low. Propagation by bulbs ensures the survival and maintenance of such a complex heterozygosity in this species.