Observation of the metaphases of the root apex of germinated seeds, taken from five genotypes of trees selected on various morphological aspects. Chromosomes numbers is variable : 20, 22 and 24 chromosomes having been counted. Only number 22 is new, the other two confirm the publication of Miège (1954) and that of Humphries et al. (1978).
It has also been demonstrated using a cell analysis technique - flow cytometry - that in the Argan tree the level of ploidy, which refers to the number of copies of chromosomes that the cell contains in its nucleus, is stable (2n = 2x). ).
The great morphological diversity of the Argan tree could explain this chromosomal variability. However, other studies are needed (counting the chromosomes of the somatic cells of the buds, for example) to explain the variation in the number of chromosomes and contribute to the study of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the Argan tree. ).
Ref. : El Boukhari A., Tabi S., El Mousadik Aet al. 2023 - Flow cytometry and chromosome numbers variation in argan tree Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels. Notulae Scientia Biologicae. Volume 15, Issue 1, Article number 11451 - DOI:10.15835/nsb15111451Posted by Jean-Paul Peltier.