title: Identification of new cytotypes of Valeriana jatamansi Jones, 1970 (Valerianaceae) from North-Western Himalayan region of India.
abstract: Valeriana jatamansi, a medicinally important species of the family Valerianaceae, has been cytologically studied in different geographical areas of North-Western Himalayan region of India. The tetraploid cytotype with chromosome numbers 2n=32 is in conformity with the earlier reports of the species from different parts of the world. An octoploid cytotype (2n=64) makes a new addition for the species on a worldwide basis, whereas the diploid cytotype (2n=16) is new to India have been reported for the first time in India. These cytotypes (2n=16, 32, 64) show significant variations with respect to morphology as well as geographical distribution in the Western Indian Himalayas. Further, anomalous populations have been marked with meiotic abnormalities in the form of cytomixis, chromosomal stickiness, unoriented bivalents, formation of laggards and bridges resulting in abnormal microsporogenesis, and production of heterogeneous-sized fertile pollen grains along with reduced pollen fertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, CSK HPKV Palampur (HP) 176 062 India.
authors.forename: Savita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rani
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, CSK HPKV Palampur (HP) 176 062 India.
authors.forename: Tilak Raj
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, CSK HPKV Palampur (HP) 176 062 India.
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kapila
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, CSK HPKV Palampur (HP) 176 062 India.
authors.forename: Rakesh Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Chahota
keywords: Valeriana jatamansi; cytotypes; meiotic abnormalities; morphovariants; western Himalayas