Cytogenetic Analysis of Eggplant (𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘮 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘢 𝘓.) and Some of Its Wild Relatives Found in the Philippines [RESEARCH NOTE]
Khris June L. Callano
Cytogenetics is known to offer relevant information useful in understanding phylogenetic relationships, genetic mapping and plant breeding studies. In particular, the knowledge of meiotic chromosomal behavior is highly vital in working out pathways for transferring desirable traits from related species to cultivated ones. Cytogenetic characterization of Solanum aethiopicum, S. americanum, S. hirtellum, S. mammosum, S. melongena, S. pseudocapsicum and S. torvum was done using iron-acetocarmine squash technique. S. aethiopicum, S. americanum, S. hirtellum, S. melongena, S. pseudocapsicum and S. torvum were found to be diploid species with chromosome number 2n=24 while S. mammosum had a chromosome number of 2n=22. Lagging chromosomes, bridge formation and asynchronous cell division were observed in insignificant frequencies (1.96–22.06%; 12.07–20.69%; and 1.59–18.18%, respectively). Literature on the basic and applied chromosome features of Solanum species is quite insufficient in the Philippines. Results of this study can be utilized as benchmark information for future interspecific hybridization programs in eggplant.