MSc
The study 'Cyto-morphological investigations in Piper spp.' was conducted
in the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture,
Vellanikkara during the period from October 1994 to December 1996. The major
objectives were to prepare morphological descriptors for the eight Piper spp.
collected from different geographical areas and to conduct cytological investigations
in these species.
To prepare morphological descriptors for the eight species studied detailed
morphological observations were recorded. Based on the salient observations on
morphology brief descriptions of the eight Piper spp. were made. The eight species
of Piper studied were analysed for the similarities and differences in their
morphological characters to find out the relationship among the species. Based on
morphological comparisons, a key for identification of species has been proposed.
The procedure for mitotic studies in Piper spp. was standardised. The roots
were collected between 11.15 a.m. and 12.15 p.m. and pre-treated in 8-
hydroxyquinoline for two to three hours at 40 C. The pre-treated roots were fixed in
Carnoy's A or Carnoy's B for one or two days. The material was then hydrolysed in
1 N hydrochloric acid in a water bath maintained at a temperature of 600C for fifteen
minutes. The roots were then stained in 0.5% acetoorcein for 45 minutes. After that
slide preparations were made and examined for the presence of mitotic chromosomes.
Microphotographs were taken and good slides were made permanent.
Chromosome number of 32, 52, 32, 32, 24, 26, 32, 52 and 52 were
observed in P. argyrophyllum, P. attenuatum, P. bababudani, P. betle, P. chaba, P.
colubrinum, P. longum, P. nigrum (Panniyur-I) and P. nigrum (wild) respectively:
Except for the South American species, P. colubrinum, all the species studied
possessed chromosomes in multiples of four suggesting a basic number of four for the
Indian Piper.
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