COMPARATIVE KARYOTYPE ANALYSIS OF FIVE CULTIVATED SOLANUM VARIETIES FROM NIGERIA

Abstract

In order to create high-yielding eggplant with high nutrient composition through interspecific hybridization, this study sought to identify similarities and differences between the karyotypes of five Nigeria eggplant cultivars and utilize the information to understand the cross compatibility of the cultivars for successful hybridization.  The seeds used in this study were extracted from harvested fruits of the five different cultivars cultivated at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Department of Crop Science research farm. The chromosome study was carefully carried out at the Departmental laboratory following all the necessary steps for chromosome studies. The examined five cultivars had the same somatic chromosome number of 2n = 24, although having significantly different morphologies and total haploid chromatin lengths. The cultivars' haploid complements ranged in length from 749.04 to 1041.94 μm (micrometer) and were of B size. The chromosome types, sizes, and karyotype symmetry are similar among all the cultivars. The cultivated species, African eggplant had the highest long arm/short arm ratio, demonstrating its advanced nature.  Centromere location data revealed close links between the cultivars, indicating cross compatibility, a useful technique for interspecific hybridization that can successfully improve crops.