Cytogenetic characterization of Angelonia integerrima Sprengel, a native species with ornamental potential

Abstract

Angelonia integerrima Sprengel is a native species of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and the Southern region (Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul) of Brazil, with features such as an unusual appearance and color of the flowers, indicating an ornamental use. To optimize the use of this species and to fill in gaps regarding its cytogenetic characterization, this study determined the chromosome number, meiotic index and pollen viability of plant individuals of four A. integerrima populations. All plant individuals of the four populations had 2n = 20 chromosomes. Still, the meiotic index of most analyzed plant individuals exceeded 90%, while pollen viability of all plant individuals was higher than 80%. These data suggest considerable cytological stability of the analyzed A. integerrima plant individuals, which may favor the selection of future genotypes for commercial purposes or their use in conservation and breeding programs of the species.