TITLE:
Karyotype Analysis of Ocimum basilicum in South-Eastern Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Offiong Ukpong Edet, Peter Osobase Aikpokpodion
KEYWORDS:
Karyotype; Cytogenetics; Cytotype; Ideogram; Mitotic; Polyploidy
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.1,
January
14,
2014
ABSTRACT: Ocimum basilicum is widely distributed in the tropical
and subtropical regions of the world, with greatest variability in Africa and
India. It is valued in many countries
for its culinary, medicinal, industrial and religious importance. Although
cytogenetic entries on the plant have been made in other geographical locations
of the world, in Nigeria, such entries, prior to this report, have been limited
if not completely unavailable. In this analysis, axillary buds, obtained from growing plants, were used to conduct mitotic
study. Results from this study showed chromosome counts of 2n = 48 and 60, thus
bringing to light the existence of chromosome number variation and the
possibility of polyploidy at different levels in the plant species in this
agro-ecological zone. This research has, therefore, established that at least
there are two cytotypes in the population of Ocimum basilicum growing in the humid forest vegetation zone of
Nigeria. Analysis of the two cytotypes revealed asymmetrical karyotypes, indicative
of advancement in the evolutionary trend of the plant species.