Karyotypic analysis of two durum wheat varieties

Abstract

The karyotypes of 'Capeiti' and 'Mexicali', two durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) cultivars were constructed on the basis of the Giemsa banding of their chromosomes. No major differences were noted. Minor differences were as follows: chromosome 4B of 'Mexicali' has more heterochromatin than its counterpart in 'Capeiti', and chromosome 5B in 'Capeiti' has a terminal band on its long arm that is lacking in 'Mexicali', while the opposite is true for the long arm of 6B. In 'Mexicali' 6BS there is a wider band next to the secondary constriction than in 'Capeiti'.Key words: durum wheat, karyotype, C-banding, heterochromatin.