Chromosome Investigation of Local Vareity and Hybrids of Amaryllis

Abstract

Suitable technique of root tip preparation for somatic chromosome investigation of amaryllis via squash method was described. Root tip samples were best taken during 09.30-10.00 a.m. The tissue was then pretreated in PDB for 48 hours at 10 °c prior to 5 minutes of fixation in fixative solution. Maceration was done in 1 N HCl solution for 5 minutes. Tissue staining in carbol fuchsin for 24 hours was carried out before squashing. Chromosome investigations of the red small – flowered local vareity (R), Apple Blossom (P), Orange Sovereign (O) and their hybrids revealed the chromosome numbers being 2n = 22 in R, 2n = 44 in P and O, 2n = 33 in Rx P, 2n = 34 in Rx 0 and 2n = 36 in O x R.