Abstract:

The aim of the study was to identify the chromosomes of Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe., and know something initially of the genome structure and evolution. In this study, mitotic metaphase chromosomes of Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe. were well prepared by using an advanced chromosome preparation method. A classic karyotype of Pennsetum was constructed according to chromosome length, centromere position, and the occurrence of NOR. By fluorescent analysis and CPD staining we found that there were five pairs of 45S rDNA signals located on different chromosomes, three pairs signals are on the NORs of the chromosomes 8, 22 and 31, the other two pairs are on the shorts arms of the chromosomes of 4 and 30, corresponding the location of CPD staining bands; the last sites of CPD staining was on the short arm of the chromosome 5. The result of this study was that Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe was aneuploid, and the karyotype was 2n＝62+1=40m+12sm+1m， belonging to 2A.