KARYOTYPE DIVERSITY AND INTERSPECIFIC 4C DNA VARIATION IN BUPLEURUM

Investigation on karyotype, 4C nuclear DNA amount and interphase nucle ar volume (INV) of different Himalayan Bupleurum species belonging to Umbelliferae revealed genetic differentiation. Numerical and structura l alternation of chromosomes in interspecific level were manifested in their statistically significant altered species specific 4C nuclear D NA content. Somatic chromosome number ranged between 2n = 14 and 2n = 16. B. himalayense was reported for the first time having 2n = 16 chro mosomes. Correlation coefficient among the various chromosomal and nuc lear parameters showed no significant progressive or regressive interd ependence except in between INV and nuclear DNA amount. Critical diffe rences between 4C DNA content showed interspecific variation.