African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (12), pp. 1190-1193, 16 June 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Chromosome numbers in Tunisian populations of Atriplex halimus L. (Chenopodiaceae)

Héla El Ferchichi Ouarda¹*, Khiria H’cini², Sadok Bouzid²

¹Institut National de Recherches en Génie Rural, Eaux et Forêts.

²Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Département des Sciences de la vie, Laboratoire de Botanique et de Biologie végétale.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: hfo@topnet.tn; Tel : +216 97 504 166.

Accepted 3 May, 2006

Atriplex halimus L. (Chenopodiaceae) can be divided in two subspecies: the diploid halimus (2n = 2x = 18) and the tetraploid schwainfurthii (2n = 4x = 36). This was based on differences in morphology, with respect to habit, size, leaf shape and fruit morphology. Chromosome numbers for 5 populations of A. halimus L. from Tunisia (Gabès, Kairouan, Monastir, Sidi Bouzid, Tataouine) were determined. Although the Tunisian populations originated from widely-separated sites of contrasting climatic conditions, the chromosome counts showed that all of them were tetraploid (2n = 4x = 36). Staining was done with the Feulgen reaction for the identification of the chromosome numbers in the nucleus. The results are discussed in relation to adaptation of A. halimus L. populations to differing climatic conditions.

Key words: Atriplex halimus, Chenopodiaceae, chromosome numbers, polyploidy.