Karyotype analysis for diploid and polyploid species of the Solanum L.

Solanum species were cytogenetically analysed to localize species-specific markers. Solanum atropurpureum Schrank, S. dulcamara L., S. gilo Raddi., S. melongena L., S. nitidibaccatum Bitter and S. paniculatum L. showed 2n = 24, whereas S. luteum Mill., S. nigrum L. and S. laciniatum Ait. showed 2n = 48, 2n = 72 and 2n = 92, respectively. All species demonstrated a symmetrical karyotype. The average chromosome size varied between diploid (1.95 mu m) and polyploid (1.31 mu m) species. Application of the CMA(3)/DAPI technique showed two CMA(3) (+)/DAPI(-) terminal blocks in S. dulcamara, S. atropurpureum and S. luteum, indicating one homologous pair. In S. nitidibaccatum two large CMA(3) (+)/DAPI(-) segments were observed apart from several terminal blocks in almost all chromosomes. The same CMA(3) (+) telomeric standard was also found in prometaphases of S. luteum. Similar results were obtained with FISH with 45S rDNA probes: fluorochrome CMA(3) (+) telomeric blocks associated with satellites, with two blocks in S. atropurpureum, S. dulcamara, S. nitidibaccatum and S. luteum and four blocks in S. nigrum and S. lacinatum. Localization of species-specific markers was successful, allowing recognition of particular cytological features in most of the species analysed.