Study on the Cytotaxonomy of Some Species of the Genus Festuca (Poaceae)

The karyological study of four species (11 populations) of the genus Festuca L. from different geo-graphic origins is presented. Basic chromosome number in all populations was x = 7. A large variety of ploidy levels ranging from diploids to octoploids was obtained in different species and populations. Chromosomes of all populations were mostly metacentric (m) and sub-metacentric (sm). According to intrachromosomal asymmetry, F. rubra (8308) and F. pratensis (9623) had the most asymmetrical karyotypes and F. ovina (2127 and 2357) had the most symmetrical karyotype among all populations. While based on interchromosomal asymmetry, among diploid populations, F. pratensis (4363) and among hexaploid populations, F. arundinacea (3996) had the most asymmetrical karyotype. The results of analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the populations based on all karyotypic characteristics (p<5%) except for A(2). The results of cluster analysis showed that populations have been grouped in three clusters. Detailed karyotype analysis allows us to group different populations and interpret their relationships.