Enhancing Techniques for Studying Mitotic Peanut Chromosomes¹

Peanut chromosomes are small and preparations of well-spread, darkly stained mitotic cells can be difficult to obtain. Techniques developed for wheat were adapted to peanut. The results are highly reproducible and many dividing cells with darkly stained chromosomes can usually be observed when root tissues are used for preparation. Applications also can be made for determining ploidy levels and chromosome numbers of plants by using immature leaf tissues. The technique has application for both diploids and polyploids and is suitable for both chromosome counts and karyotyping studies.