Abstract

All the taxa investigored possessed 2n=24 chromosomes. The karyotypes were symmetrical possessing median and sub-median constrictions. They are characterised by gross homogeneity in the chromosoma morphology, yet each and every one of the species had a distinct karyotype of its own. Even the two varieties of Solenum melongena differed from one another in certain details of their karyotypes suggesting that karyotype analysis would not offer any scope for evaluation of phylogenetic relationships among the species studied. Morphological divergence of the species hed no relation to the karyotypic differences. It was concluded that the study of chromosome morphology in Solanum, at best can have only a phyletic significance as a commentary upon the validity of conclusions based on evidence from external morphology and other cytogenetic data. It appeared that specialisation in this genus had been principally effected by structural alteration of chromosomes.

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