Combined Cycloheximide and 8-Hydroxyquinoline Pretreatment for Study of Plant Chromosomes

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The actions of cycloheximide and 8-hydroxyquinoline on dividing cells of root meristems of Zea mays L. were studied during the development of a new cytological technique for sugarcane (Saccharum) root tips. The determination of mitotic phase indices revealed that treatment with cycloheximide (70 ppm) plus 8-hydroxyquinoline (250 ppm) was superior to treatments with either chemical separately. After the combined treatment, the preparations contained nearly 10 times more cells in prophase and metaphase that were suitable for chromosome counting than were those given a single pretreatment with 8-hydroxyquinoline. This new pretreatment was developed especially for chromosome studies in tropical grasses with a large number of small chromosomes. However, both chemicals are active in a wide range of plant species.