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Pak. J. Bot., 44(6): 1977-1982, 2012.

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  Updated: 14-12-12

 

 

CYTOLOGICAL STUDIES ON 14 PLANT SPECIES UNDER POLLUTED CONDITIONS

 

SADAF ZOHAIR1*, SURAYYA KHATOON1 AND SAHAR ZAIDI2

 

Abstract: Thirty four specimens of 14 species belonging to Cyperaceae and Poaceae growing in the vicinity of industries, agricultural fields and a combination of both were collected in and around Karachi. The study aimed to find out how the plants are affected by a long-term exposure to a number of pollutants focusing on the meiotic behavior (precocious chromosomes, chromosomal stickening, split spindles, lagging chromosomes), dyads formation and pollen stertility. The percentage of meiotic abnormalities in the specimens from polluted sites was significantly higher as compared to their respective controls. The specimens from polluted localities showed a greater tendency to produce dyads as compared to controls. Voucher specimens of 9 species produced significant number of sterile pollens under polluted condition.

 


1Department of Botany, University of Karachi. Karachi-75270, Pakistan

2Department of Botany, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Campus, Karachi, Pakistan

*Corresponding author e-mail: sadrah@msn.com


   
   

 

   
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