Pachytene chromosomes in lentil

Abstract

The pachytene karyotype of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and its comparison with the mitotic karyotype is presented for the first time. The seven chromosomes were identified individually and described in detail. An ideogram was prepared on the basis of chromosome lengths, arm ratios and distribution of heterochromatin and euchromatin. The chromosomes were numbered from 1 to 7 following a descending order of length. In pachytene karyotype as well as in mitotic karyotype, the seven chromosomes were classified as four metacentric and three submetacentric. The total length of the chromosome complement at pachytene was 221.25 um and at mitotic metaphase it was 35.88 um. Chromosome size ranged from 61.75 to 17.25 um at pachytene and from 6.21 to 3.97 um at mitotic metaphase. An ideogram eliminating the factor to differential chromatin condensation at pachytene was also prepared.