Karyology Study of Six Cytotypes of Vicia L. in Tehran Province, Iran

Abstract

The genus Vicia L. is an important forage crop and consists of approximately 160 annual and perennial species. This genus has variety in phenotypic characters. In this study, six genotypes of this taxon was choosen to determine the chromosome numbers, ploidy levels and to compare the karyotypic trairts. Based on the results, the basic chromosome number varied from x=5, x=6 and x=7. According to Stebbins classification, species were classified as symmetric class of 3A. Based on intra chromosomal symmetry, V. villosa Roth. had the most asymmetrical and evolutionary karyotype. V. cordata (Wulf. ex Hoppe) Arcangeli, Comp. had the most symmetrical karyotype. The highest distance was observed between these two species using cluster analysis.