[Studies on chromosome numbers of Salvia miltiorrhiza, S. flava and S. evansiana].
OBJECTIVE
To study the numbers of chromosome in Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza from 7 provinces in China, and S. flava as well as S. evansiana from Yunnan province in China.


METHODS
The young root was treated with the mixture of ice and water for 24 h, fixed with Carony's fixative for 6-12 h. After differentiating for 10-12 min with 1 mol x L(-1) hydrochloric acid at 60 'C and staining with carbol fuchsin,the section was observed under microscope.


RESULTS
Chromosome numbers of S. miltiorrhiza and S.flava were 2n = 2x = 16. The numbers of S. evansiana were 2n = 4x = 32. The basic numbers of the chromosomes were x = 8. And tetraploids were observed in S. miltiorrhiza from Sichuan provices and Shandong provices.


CONCLUSIONS
The basic number of the chromosomes are x = 8. The chromosome numbers of S. miltiorrhiza, S.flava and S. evansiana are 16,16 and 32 respectively. As the chromosomes are the small or micro-small ones, it is difficult to use them for karyotype.
Zhao
Hong-xia
HX
College of Biology and Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China.
Zhang
Li
L
Fan
Xing
X
Yang
Rui-wu
RW
Ding
Chun-bang
CB
Zhou
Yong-hong
YH
D032461:Chromosomes, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D004171:Diploidy; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000235:genetics; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000235:genetics*; D011123:Polyploidy; D027561:Salvia miltiorrhiza / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity