A comparative intra-specific karyotype analysis in some Kenya tea cultivars, Camellia sinensis (L.) O-Kuntze

A comparative intra-specific karyotype analysis was performed on eight Keny an tea cultivars, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze by examining shoot tip m eristematic cells by acetic orcein and giemsa staining methods. Six of the cultivars were diploids (2n = 2x = 30) while two were naturally evolved tri ploids (2n = 3x = 45). Most of the chromosome complements in the eight cult ivars were generally homotypic and symmetrical in relative length and kinet ochore position and consisted of perfect to near-perfect metacentric chromo somes with an arm ratio range of 1.00 to 1.30. Mitotic metaphase chromosome s of the eight cultivars were also consistently lacking in secondary constr ictions and satellites and often had "sticky" tips. No marker chromosomes w ere identified. Differential staining with giemsa did not give positive res ults and had very limited resolution of heterochromatic regions.