Manna Formation, Cytogenetic And Pollen Morphology In Echinops Polygamous Bunge. And E. Tenuisecta Rech

Abstract

Echinops polygamous and E. tenuisecta are belong to Asteraceae family. In this article, we investigated the formation of manna, cytogenetics and pollen morphology in E. polygamous and E. tenuisecta. For cytogenetic studies, root tip meristems of seedlings were used. Meristem cells were stained with acetocarmine 2%. In these cells, the number and size of chromosomes were examined. Pollen grains were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. These are rare plant species in which the Larinus forms its cocoons at the angles of the stems of them. Larinus cocoons (manna) have medicinal value. The number of chromosomes in both species was 2n= 28 and in both species aneuploidy was observed. In the karyotype, the four chromosomes were homolog. Therefore, it seems that both species are tetraploids with base chromosome number X= 7. The pollen grains of E. polygamous and E. tenuisecta were elliptical, with tricolporate, short spines and micro perforates.