Diversity in C-, fluorescent banding and isoenzyme activities between two cultivars of Allium cepa

The Bangladeshi and the Indian varieties of Allium cepa (2n = 16) investiga ted differed regarding C-banding patterns. The eight fully C-banded chromos omes of the Indian variety indicate that heterochromatins are diffused alon g their entire length. The Bangaldeshi variety showed some localized C-band s and CMA-positive bands at the terminal regions of chromosomes indicating the GC-rich heterochromatic nature of this variety. No DAPI band was found in these two varieties. Satellites were observed in the Bangladeshi variety when stained in CMA. Therefore, these SAT areas may be GC-rich. Although n ucleoli were found at interphase in the Indian variety when stained with CM A and DAPI, but no satellite was observed at metaphase. Two varieties were similar in esterase activity, but differed sharply in acid phosphatase acti vity.