Number of nucleoli in diploids and polyploids of the genus Achillea L.

Abstract

Nucleoli were counted in 9228 interphase nuclei of the apical root meristem of 40 Achillea L. taxa (di-, tetra-. hexa- and octoploids). It was established that the distribution of nucleoli number in an interphase nucleus can be used as a rough practical indicator to distinguish between diploids and polyploids. The highest number of nucleoli (12) was found in an octoploid Achillea pannonica, but only in a small percentage of the nuclei (0.3% out of 283 nuclei).

Keywords

• Achillea L.
• nucleolus number
• chromosome number
• polyploids