SYTOGENETIC AND MORPFOLOGICAL STUDY OF MAMMOTH WILD RYE (LEYMUS RACEMOSUS (LAM.) TZVEL.) DISTRIBUTED IN ABSHERON

Abstract

In the current article, the results of the research conducted to evaluate the morphological and cytogenetic status of the mammoth wild rye species (Leymus racemosus (Lam.) Tzvel.) distributed in Absheron were analyzed. For this purpose, expeditions were organized to different regions of Absheron and samples of wild rye were collected. The collected plants were observed both in in situ field conditions and in laboratory conditions, according to the protocol, analysis of structural elements was carried out, and meiosis and mitosis processes were studied in order to evaluate their cytogenetic status. According to the results of the expeditions organized to 3 settlements of Absheron (Buzovna, Fatmayi and Göradil), the largest and densest population of wild rye was found in Buzovna and compared to other populations, a higher percentage of seed set and germination was noted in the samples belonging to this population. In the karyotype (mitotic and meiotic cells) of all three populations, the chromosome set was 2n=28, and the size of the population was determined to be significant for the cross-pollinated wild rye. Thus, the meiotic disorders observed in plants belonging to the Buzovna population due to their larger size can be explained by the greater exposure of that population to cross-pollination. At the same time, it was considered more appropriate to store the seed material with low germination capacity ex situ than to store it in the gene bank. Mammoth wild rye plants collected from the expeditions were handed over to the herbarium fund of the Genetic Resorces Institute.