A report on a paracentric inversion in Withania somnifera (L.) Dun.

Abstract

Cytogenetical studies in Withania somnifera (L.) Dun., an important evergreen tomentose shrub belonging to the family Solanaceae with immense therapeutic uses including anticancerous [1] and antioxidant [2] properties, is restricted to chromosome counts only and has been reported to be variable as 2n = 24 [3], 48 [4] and 72 [5]. From the seed stock of Withania somnifera (L.) Dun. (Neemuch cultivar : MPST No. NH-II/ XVI 11/946, obtained from Agri-Horticultural Society of India) plants were raised in the experimental field of Kalyani University and a plant possessing characteristic configurations of paracentric inversion [6] at anaphase I and II was identified (1 out of 26 plants scored cytologically) and has been described in the text.