The comparative studies of diploid Matricaria chamomilla L (2n=18) (Azulena and Sybirskaya bisabololnaya varieties), Matricaria discoidea L. (2n=18) and Matricaria inodora L. (2n=18) were carried out by DAPI/C-banding, FISH with 26S and 5S rDNA probes, the analysis of meiosis and composition of essential oil. Based on DAPI/C banding and FISH with 26S and 5S rDNA probes, all the chromosomes in karyotypes of the studied diploid chamomile species were identified, and generalized idiograms of chromosomes with account of all possibilities of DAPI/C-banding patterns as well as chromosomal localization of 26S and 5S rDNA sites were constructed. The results of comparative analysis of DAPI/C-banding and localization of ribosomal genes in the studied related chamomile species conformed to the hypothesis on monophyletic origin of their genomes. In most cases, we observed the classical type of meiosis with formation of 9 baculiform bivalents. Insignificant percentage of abnormalities suggested genetic stability of genomes of the studied species. The analysis of essential oil composition confirmed that M. discoidea could be used for medical purposes in common with M. chamomillа. The comparative analysis of interspecific karyotype differences and also the qualitative composition of essential oil allowed us to conclude that M d genome took an intermediate position between M ch and M i genomes, and M. discoidea was considerably closer to M. chamomillа than M. inodora.

C помощью DAPI-бэндинга, флуоресцентной гибридизации in situ (FISH) с зондами 26S и 5S рДНК и анализа мейоза проведено сравнительное цитогенетическое изучение автотетраплоидного сорта Подмосковная ромашки аптечной Matricaria chamomilla L. (M. recutita L.) и дикорастущей тетраплоидной ромашки непахучей M. inodora L. В кариотипах обеих форм по рисункам DAPI-бэндинга и распределения 26S и 5S рДНК идентифицированы все хромосомы и построены видовые идиограммы M. chamomilla и M. inodora с учетом полиморфных вариантов рисунков DAPI-бэндинга и указанием расположения сайтов 26S и 5S рДНК.

A comparative cytogenetic study of the autotetraploid breed of Matricaria chamomilla L. (M. recutita L.) and Matricaria inodora L. was carried out by DAPI-banding, fluorescent hybridization in situ (FISH) with 26S and 5S rDNA probes, and analysis of meiosis. All chromosomes were identified in both karyotypes on the basis of DAPI-banding images and 26S and 5S rDNA distribution, and species-specific idiograms were composed for both M. chamomilla and M. indora taking into account the polymorphous variants of DAPI-banding images, showing the location of the 26S and 5S rDNA sites.

Using a set of methods (C-banding, DAPI-staining, fluorescence hybridization in situ (FISH) with probes of 26S and 5S rDNA, and analysis of meiosis), the first comparative cytogenetic study of three species of Macleaya, producers of complex isoquinoline alkaloids, cordate Macleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br. (2 n = 20), small-fruited Macleaya microcarpa (Maxim.) Fedde (2 n = 20) and Macleaya kewensis Turrill (2 n = 20), was first carried out. On the basis of morphometric analysis, formulas of karyotypes were made for each species. Species ideograms for M. cordata , M. microcarpa , and M. kewensis were constructed taking into account the polymorphic variants of the C-banding patterns and indicating the location of 26S and 5S rDNA sites. A comparative study revealed that the karyotypes of M. microcarpa and M. kewensis have more in common with each other than with M. cordata . Analysis of meiotic chromosomes suggests of genetic stability of Macleaya genomes. The results of chromosome analysis were used to confirm the close relationship of Macleaya and to clarify their phylogenetic relationships.

A comparative cytogenetic study of two introduced forms of Makleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br. = syn. Bocconia cordata Willd. grown in different ecological and geographical regions (Moscow and Donetsk areas) was carried out. In the study, a complex of methods utilizing various chromosomal markers, i.e., C- and DAPI-banding technique, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes of26S and 5S rDNA, as well as estimation of the total area of C-positive regions (C-HCH) in prophase nucleoli and meiosis analysis, was used. In the karyotypes (2n = 20), each chromosome was identified on the basis of C-banding and FISH patterns and the chromosome ideograms were built. Pericentrometric and telomeric C-positive bands in chromosomes of the Moscow form karyotype were found to be smaller and intercalary bands, larger than the corresponding bands in the M. cordata form grown in Donetsk. It was found that the content of C-HCH in prophase nucleoli in the form of M. cordata grown in Donetsk was higher than in the form grown in Moscow. In both forms sites of 26S rDNA and 5s rDNA were localized on satellite chromosome 1 and on chromosome 4 respectively but the signals were more intensive in the plant form grown in Donetsk. The results of this study enable selecting M. cordata forms for use in pharmacology and recommending them for cultivation in various ecological and geographical regions.