CHROMOSOME-NUMBER IN GERMPLASM ACCESSIONS OF PASPALUM-NOTATUM (GRAMINEAE)

Chromosome numbers are reported for 127 germplasm accessions of Paspal um notatum maintained by EMBRAPA (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agrop ecuaria) in two research centers in Brazil. Most accessions were colle cted in their natural habitats in Southern Brazil. Tetraploidy (2n = 4 0 chromosomes) was predominant (91% of the accessions studied), confir ming previous reports for the species. Eleven accessions with 2n = 20 chromosomes, although collected in the wild, are possibly derived from 'Pensacola' bahiagrass, commonly cultivated in the area since its int roduction from the United States in the 60's, for the establishment of permanent pastures.