Effect of water stress upon cell division in root tips oferagrostis carvula (SCHRAD.) NEES

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of water stress on cell division, relative frequency of different phases of mitosis and mitotic index in root tips of two cultivars of Eragrostis curvula (Schrad. Nees) (weeping lovegrass). The water stress treatment affected both cultivars by increasing mitotic index as a result of changes in the relative frequency of cells in interphase and prophase with marked increases in the prophase index. These increases were more evident in the less resistant cultivar. Changes in the relative frequency of other phases were also observed. The presence of cells with persistent nucleoli was detected, and the number of these cells increased with the lowest medium water potentials.