Incidence and frequency of desynapsis in Eremurus persicus (Jaub. & Spach) Boiss.(Asphodelaceae) – A native and important medicinal plant species of Western Himalaya

Abstract

Eremurus persicus (Jaub. & Spach) Boiss. (Asphodelaceae); a little known species of genus Eremurus grows in arid and semi-arid regions, on rocky mountains in Central Asia and Middle East. The species is native and an important medicinal plant used to treat various diseases. In the current study, we examined male meiosis, karyotypic variability, pollen viability and reproductive output of three populations of the target species. All the studied populations have diploid chromosome count of 2n = 2x =14. Meiotic course in majority of the pollen mother cells (PMCs) in all the three populations is not normal due to the presence of desynapsis at diplotene and metaphase-I. Instead of 7IIs most of the PMCs examined reveal varying number of bivalents and univalents. Anaphasic segregation is also affected in few PMCs. Present study also revealed that the species has asymmetric karyotype of 10 long and 4 short chromosomes. Species exhibits fruit abortion that results in extremely low fruit/seed set. The meiotic abnormalities and low fruit/seed set may be attributed to restricted distribution of this important plant species. Present study may prove helpful in devising the conservation and management strategies for this prized plant species.