Cytological Behaviour of Asparagus Curillus Ham., in Relation to Different Environments

The paper describes the cytological behaviour of Asparagus curillus Ham. under two contrasting altitudes. The haploid and diploid chromosome numbers for the plant have been determined as ten and twenty, respectively. Taking the basic-chromosome number of the genus into account, the species represents a diploid condition. The meiotic behaviour of chromosomes, as seen from the dividing pollen mother cells, was normal in plants growing in their natural habitat at Naini Tal. A number of meiotic irregularities such as non-pairing of chromosomes, early disjunction, the presence of bridges and laggards with unequal distribution of chromosomes at anaphases and polyspory were recorded from plants which were brought from Naini Tal and. and grown at Delhi. The new environmental conditions of the-plains may have been responsible for the abnormalities.