Effect of Different Osmotic Potentials of Media on Germination of Three Safflower Varieties

The effect of osmotic potentials, 0 to ?13.5 atm (?1.37 M Pa), on the germination of three safflower varieties (Carthamus tinctorius L.) was studied at a controlled temperature (30±2°C) using a non-electrolyte substance, polyethelene glycol 6000. The varieties were cv. Ute, cv. Iranian local 3151, and cv. Iranian local 2811. The percent germination of the three varieties averaged over all osmotic potentials were: 86, 77 and 61 for local 3151, local 2811 and “Ute”, respectively. The Ute variety had the highest, and the local 3151 variety had the lowest rate of germination reduction. The variations among the varieties in the percent and rate of germination were due to osmotic effects of the media.     

Karyotypic study of Echinops (Asteraceae) in Fars Province, Iran

A karyotypic study was performed on 19 Echinops species in Fars Province, Iran. The taxa revealed chromosome counts of 2 n = 28, 30, 32 and 34. Somatic chromosome numbers of 18 species are reported for the first time. Using somatic chromosome number as a criterion for section delimitation, the transfer of E. gedrosiacus, E. cyanocephalm and E. sojakii from Sect. Oligolepis to Sect. Ritropsis is suggested. Differences in basic chromosome numbers point towards the possible role played by centric fusion/fission in the karyotypic evolution of the genus. The Karl Pearson coefficient of correlation and principal components analysis indicated the occurrence of structural changes in chromosomes. The species occupied classes 1A, 2A & 2B of Stebbins' karyotype classification, indicating the presence of a primitive symmetrical karyotype in the genus.