African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (5), pp. 400-402, May 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Short Communication

Centromeric banding pattern of mitotic chromosomes in Vigna vexillata (TVnu 73)

Adetula, O.A.¹, Fatokun, C.A.² and Obigbesan, G.³

¹National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan

²Grain Legume Improvement Program, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan. ³University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: olagorite@yahoo.com.

Accepted 16 January, 2005

Vigna vexillata chromosome characterization was carried out using the Leishman C-banding technique.  The results showed that the chromosomes mostly exhibited bands at both the centromeric and telomeric regions.  These bands will serve, as a valuable marker for the identification of the chromosomes. Chromosomes 2 were the most variable and differed from the other chromosomes by the presence of satellite on the short arm.  Diploid chromosome numbers of 22 consisting of 11 pairs of homologues were observed for V. vexillata. The homologues chromosomes were arranged in the descending order.  The idiogram representing the chromosomes was also constructed.

Key words: LeishmanC-banding, Vigna vexillata and Chromosomes.