Male Meiotic Studies in Six Species of <i>Pedicularis</i> L. from Churdhar and Adjoining Hills of Sirmaur District (H. P.), India

Abstract

The genus Pedicularis L. comprises many medicinal species in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, the Northwest Himalayan range. In the present study, male meiotic studies have been carried out in six species of the genus and revealed n=8 chromosome number in all taxa. The chromosome number (n=8) in P. heterodonta and P. punctata are new to the world, while P. oederi reveals the first chromosome report for Indian populations. Besides, a B chromosome and structural heterozygosity were reported for the first time in P. hoffmeisteri and P. pectinata, respectively. Further, meiotic anomalies, like chromatin bridges, interbivalent connections, laggards, uneven gamete formation and reduce pollen viability, were also observed in the studied populations.