European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience 2014; 2 (1): 01-03

ISSN: 2321-9122 Chromosome studies in ( olitorius) www.biosciencejournals.com EJBB 2014; 2 (1): 01-03 Received: 30-6-2014 Olawuyi P.O., Falusi O.A., Oluwajobi A.O, Azeez R.A. Accepted: 15-7-2014 Titus S.D., Akomolafe J. F., Mayaki H.

Abstract Olawuyi P.O. Jute plant (Corchorus olitorius) is an important vegetable crop in Nigeria. This study was carried out to Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Technology, examine the chromosome behaviour in order to give an insight to the breeding behaviour and evolution Minna, Niger State Nigeria. within Corchorus olitorius. The seeds were obtained from the National Institute of Horticulture, (NIHORT) Ibadan and the root tips were studied using standard cytogenetic techniques. Results showed Falusi O.A. 2n =14 as the diploid number. However, many of the cells showed chromosome clumping which were Department of Biological Sciences, more prevalent at metaphase stage. There were also similarities among the chromosomes in terms of Federal University of Technology, morphology. While chromosome clumping is an indication that Corchorus olitorius is cytological unstable Minna, Niger State Nigeria. and the specie is evolving, the similarity in chromosome morphology suggest that they have a common ancestory. This information is important for the improvement of the crop in Nigeria. Oluwajobi A.O Department of Biology, Kwara State Keywords: Corchorus olitorius, chromosome clumping, cytogenetic techniques and IITA. Polytechnic Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria. 1. Introduction Azeez R.A. Corchorus is a genus of about 40-100 species of flowering in the family , native Department of Biology, Kwara State to tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. The plants are usually annual herbs, Polytechnic Ilorin, Kwara State reaching a height of 4m, un-branched or with side branches and is an erect woody herb, usually Nigeria. 0.5-1.2m high but may reach up to 2.5 m in cultivation and growing as tall 4m (14Ft).The leaves

Titus S.D. are alternate, simple, lanceolate, 5-15 cm long, with an acuminate tip and a finely serrated or Department of Biology, Kwara State lobed margin. The flowers are small (2-3 cm diameter) and yellow, with five petals; the fruit is a Polytechnic Ilorin, Kwara State many-seeded capsule. It thrives almost anywhere, and can be grown year-round The common Nigeria. names of Corchorus olitorius in English are jute plant and bush okra Jew's Mallow, Bangla Tossa Jute (India), Bush Okra, Jew´s Mallow, Jew´s-Mallow, Jute, Long-Fruited Jute, Nalita Jute, Nalta Akomolafe, J. F. National Biotechnology Development Jute, Red Jute, Tossa Jute, West African SorrelIn many West Africa Countries, the crop is Agency (NABDA) Headquarter, referred to names similar to keren - keren krin - krin, crain crain or kelen kelen. Some Nigerian Abuja, Nigeria names for the crop include ewedu in Yoruba, ahuara in Igbo, malafiya and ayoyo in Hausa (Akoroda, 2008). Nigeria has a great potential for the production of Corchorus olitorius for Mayaki H. domestic and export market and due to nutritional value and economic importance. The yield of National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Headquarter, the crop is still critically low as compared to other vegetable crops. Increased production of the Abuja, Nigeria crop is hampered by several factors such as lack of improved varieties and low fertilization rate (Akpabio 2000). The demand for Corchorus olitorius and its products is growing both at the national and international levels. This indicates the need to enhance the productivity of this crop by developing high yielding genotypes, which depend on variability its component traits in the

populations. But unfortunately, there has been little research efforts on the crop therefore this research is designed to look at the chromosome sties in jute plant (Corchorus olitorius). The study aims to show the chromosome basis for the variations observed in Corchorus olitorius through a study of their mitotic phases with a view to showing their genetics and relationship to other species of this genus.

2. Methodology and Materials

The study was carried out at Biological Sciences Laboratory Federal University of Technology, Minna Niger State.

2.1 Seed Collection and Planting Correspondence One kilogram of Jute plant (Corchorus olitorius) was collected from International Institute of Olawuyi P.O. Department of Biological Sciences, Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan. Fifty seeds of jute were used for the mitotic studies. The jute Federal University of Technology, seeds were stored in thick paper envelop and well labelled. They were kept in refrigenerator to Minna, Niger State Nigeria. prevent them from losing their viability.

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2.2 Preparation of Reagents 14 for Corchorus olitorius. Normal chromosome was observed Acetic orcein stain: 1g of orcein powder was dissolved into at anaphase in cells of Corchorus olitorius (plate 2) which 45ml of hot glacial acetic acid. It was allowed to cool and 55ml similar with work of Falusi 2005 who reported that of distilled water was added to it. 70% Alcohol: 100ml of 70% chromosomes with normal anaphase division observed in alcohol was prepared by adding 70ml ethanol into 30ml of Habiscus sabdariffa. distilled water.15% HCL: Fixative: 1 part glacial acetic acid However, clumping of chromosomes was observed at and 3 parts ethanol (V/V) was used. This was prepared by metaphase (plate 3) and mitotic chromosome observed at adding 30ml of glacial acetic acid into 90ml of ethanol (Aliyu et telophase stage( Plate 4) .The clumping was mostly prevalent in al., 2007). Corchorus olitorius, Falusi (2003) observed that the meiotic element of have a high tendency to cluster together as evidence 2.3 Cytological Studies at metaphase similar to chromosome clumping occur in pepper The harvested root tips was pre-treated with 1, 4- (Capsicum annuum). Clumping and other regularities are paradichlorobenzene for three hours after which it was fixed in expected to lead deficiencies and duplication. These findings 1 part glacial acetic acid and 3 parts ethanol (V/V) for 24hrs. are in close agreement with the earlier reports of Akpabio The roots that were not required immediately for slide (2000) in crotalaria and similar situation was reported in preparation were stored in 70% ethanol in a refrigerator. The crotalaria specie by Akpabio (1990). root tip was hydrolyzed in 15% hydrochloric acid for 15minutes The occurrence of chromosome clumping has always been at 600C. The root tip was carefully removed, rinsed with water associated with sterility; degeneration and instability of the and then transferred into the microscope slide, on the genetic system in plants are forms mutation which are microscope slide, the root tips was squashed in acetic orcein fundamental sources of heritable variation. These could lead to stain (Falusi et al., 2003). The preparation was covered with evolution (Falusi et al., 2005). cover slip and allowed to dry a little, after which it was viewed It is an indication that there is a store of genetic variability in under the microscope. Also, the digital camera pictures of the varieties which could be exploited for improvement various stages of division for all the stages were taken (Grubben purposes among Corchorus olitorius. et al., 2004) 4. Conclusion 3. Results and Discussion The cytological examinations showed wide variation in Cytological examinations showed cells of Corchorus olitorius chromosome stages of Corchorus olitorius. Clumping could that were actively dividing (plate 1) and a diploid chromosome lead to instability of the genetic system, environmental factors number of 2n= 14 was observed. This observation agrees with and evolution. the findings of Morakinyo and Falusi (1998), who reported 2n=

Plate 1: showing cells that are actively dividing Plate 2: showing normal mitotic chromosome at anaphase stage

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Plate 3: showing chromosome clumping at Plate 4: showing mitotic chromosome at telophase stage metaphase stage

5. References 1. Akoroda MO. Cultivation of Jute (Corchorus olitorius) 7. Falusi OA, Salako EA, Falusi FM. Preliminary survey for edible leaf in Nigeria 2008. of the chromosome number of the accessions of 2. Akpabio, KE. Chromosomal interconnections and Sasame indicumin Nigeria. Nigeria Journal of Applied metaphase I clumping in meiosis of four species of Sciences (Maiden Edition) 2007; 31-35. Crotalaria L. Nigeria Journal of Botany1990 3(1)191- 8. Grubben GJH, Tahir ELIM. Corchorus olitorius L. In: 195. Grubben, GJH. & Denton, OA. (Editors). PROTA 2: 3. Akpabio KE. Chromosomal interconnections and Vegetables/Légumes. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, metaphase I clumping in meiosis of four species of Wageningen, Netherlands. Heiser, CB. Jute plant Crotalaria L. Nigeria Journal of Botany 2000; 3(1):191 (Corchorus olitorius) in evolution of crop plant. -195. London and New York, 2004, 265 - 267. 4. Aliyu OM, Awopetu JA. Chromosome studies in jute 9. Idowu AO. Growth and yield of hot pepper (Corchorus plant (Corchorus olitorius). African Journal of olitorius) as influenced by bed width and within row Biotechnology 2007; 6(2):131-136. spacing. Department of horticulture, college of plant 5. Falusi OA. Cytogenetics of C. annuum and C. science and crop protection, university of Agriculture frutescence L. Journal of Agriculture and Abeokuta, Ogun State, 2011. Biotechnology of Environment 2003; 2(5):1-7. 10. Kat, M. (2002). Jute plant in profile. Ethnobotany and 6. Falusi OA. Germplasm collection of peppers Ecotravel. Available at, http:/www.Sacredearth.com. (Capsicum spp.) in Nigeria. Resources Crop 2007; Retrieved on 22 March, 2013. 8(3):765 768.

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