Cytogenetic Studies in Some Species of Medicago L. in Iran

Abstract

A karyological study using the Image Analysis System was conducted of eight taxa of the genus Medicago L. namely M. radiata L., M. intertexta (L.) Mill. M. orbicularis (L.) Bart. , M. laciniata (L.) Mill., M. coronate (L.) bartal, M. rigidula (L.) All., M. polymorpha L.and M. scutellata (L.) Mill. used as forage plants from different geographic origins of Fars province from Iran. We found the two usual basic chromosome numbers in the genus, x=7 and x=8. In the group with x=7, two diploid (2n=14), one tetraploid (2n=28) species and in the group with x=8, five diploid (2n=16) species were found. Detailed karyotype analysis allows us to group the different species and to postulate relationships among them.