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INT J CURR SCI 2013, 6: E 63-69
RESEARCH ARTICLE
ISSN 2250-1770
Biosystematical studies in some taxa of Jatropha Linn.
*Elumalai R, Selvaraj R and Chidambaram ALA
Department of Botany, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar-608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
*Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Biosystematical studies in four taxa of Jatropha have been made to understand the interrelationship among them. The
following are the taxa studied with reference to morphological, anatomical and cytological characters (Jatropha curcas,
Jatropha gossypifolia, Jatropha glandulifera, and Jatropha multifida). The study revealed that the various species of
Jatropha differ morphologically among one another in leaf shape, size and texture. Anatomically the species of Jatropha
differ from one another in epidermal cells; number of stomata; stomatal index and mesophyll tissue. Further, the leaf
anatomies reveal a typical dicotyledonous type of leaf with a single palisade layer in all the taxa except J. curcas (two rows
of palisade cells) and hence it has increase photosynthetic efficiency than the other species. All the species of Jatropha have
the Rubiaceous type of stomata (paracytic). Detailed karyotypic analysis has been made in addition to the study of absolute
chromosome length, average chromosome length, total chromosome length, relative chromosome length and arm ratio. In all
the species, the chromosome number recorded is 2n=22. The chromosomes were classified on the basis of length of the
chromosome, position of the centromere, primary and secondary constructions, presence or absence of satellite.
Keywords: Jatropha, morphology, anatomy, cytology, biosystematics
Received: 14th Dec’2012; Revised: 26thJanuary; Accepted: 19thFebruary; © IJCS New Liberty Group 2013
distributed in tropical and subtropical Africa and America.
Introduction
Biosystematical studies have been made with
Jatropha curcas is a multipurpose shrub with significant
reference to morphology, leaf anatomy and cytology in
economic importance having the capability to rehabilitate
some taxa of Jatropha, belonging to Euphorbiaceae. The
the degraded lands (Ghose et al., 2007). It is also
family Euphorbiaceae is commonly known as, spurge
considered as a biodiesel plant with economical and
family. It consists of 334 genera (Webster, 1994) and over
medicinal values Dhakshanamoorthy and Selvaraj (2010);
8,000
are
Dhakshanamoorthy et al. (2011) and Sundari et al. (2011).
distributed mainly in the tropics, in several types of
Plants of this genus are herbs, shrubs or small trees,
vegetation and habitats. It is one of the most complex,
monoecious (rarely dioecious), exudate is watery to white;
large and diverse families of angiosperms. Wurdack et al.
possess poisonous substance in the sap and seed, leaves
(2004) considered Euphorbiaceae as a pan tropical family,
alternate, often digitately lobed. Flowers are terminal
composed of 340 genera and approximately 8,000-9,000
cymes with a single pistillate flower at the end of the
species. The genus Jatropha belongs to the family,
primary axis. Sepals are 5 in number, free, imbricate;
Euphorbiaceae with approximately 170 known species
petals-5, mainly free; staminate disc annular or 5 free
species
(Radciffe-Smith,
2001),
which
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Elumalai et al., 2013
glands, stamens 6-10, in two whorls; pistillate foliaceous
5 lobed, margin serrate, serratures and stipules glandtipped
annular, 5-lobed; fruits capsular to retardedly dehiscent and
and J. multifida Leaves 20-35 cm length across, 5-11 lobes
sub-drupaceous. Even though 12 Jatropha species were
oblanceolate, again lobed at apex, glaucous beneath,
notified in several Indian floras, research has been confined
acuminate base obtuse or cordate, petioles up to 20 cm
to nine species only. Among the Jatropha species,
long, green above, often pale pink below and turns to green
J. curcas is the most primitive form and has the potential to
at maturity. Morphologically all the species the leaves are
be cultivated for biodiesel and medicinal properties.
3-5 lobed except J. multifida as it was 5-11 lobes (Fig. 1).
Materials and Methods
Anatomical work in higher plants has been made by
The plant materials (Jatropha curcas, Jatropha
gossypifolia,
Jatropha
glandulifera
and
several authors (Cutter, 1971; Ahmed, 1976; Selvaraj and
Jatropha
Subramanian, 1979). The leaf anatomy of Euphorbiaceae is
multifida) were collected from the experimental field at
unique in the sense that it is latex yielding. The leaf region
Autanagar in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. The cultivated
was made up of latex cells and laticiferous tissues (Fig. 2)
species were identified with the help of Bailey’s (1933),
for translocation of latex.
the Standard encyclopaedia of horticulture and the Antony
The leaf anatomy showed the following details; the
Huxley’s, The Macmillan-world Guides of house plants.
section
The wild species were identified with the help of Flora of
distribution of stomata, the arrangements of palisade
Madras Presidency (Gamble, 1956). Plants twigs were
parenchyma,
collected for morpho anatomical studies and stored in 70%
mesophyll cells (Fig. 2) and vascular bundles in leaf were
ethanol for laboratory studies. Hand free section of leaves
species specific. The leaf anatomy showed amphistomatic
were taken and mounted in 50% glycerine for observation.
condition in J. curcas and J. glandulifera; hypostomatic
All of them were photographed and tabulated. Dermal
condition in J. gossypifolia and J. multifida all these
studies were also made from the peeling of leaf, by
species of Jatropha have Rubiaceous type of stomata
mechanical striping. Root tip squash were made, following
(paracytic) (Fig. 3) with a single layer of palisade
the schedule of Iron Alum Haematoxylin squash technique
parenchyma (except J. curcas) and many rows of spongy
described by Marimuthu and Subramanian (1960) and the
parenchyma with arenchyma cells. The leaf anatomy of
important figures were photographed.
other three species namely J. gossypifolia, J. glandulifera,
Results and Discussion
J. multifida were similar to that of J. curcas except in layer
Morphological and anatomical observation
of palisade cells. Crystals were recorded in the mesophyll
are
showing
upper
spongy
and
lower
parenchyma,
epidermis,
cystolith
in
the
the
The leaf is a variable organ. In J. curcas the leaves
tissues of leaf. All the features described, were noted in
3-5
this present study and re-confirmed (Figs. 1 & 2).
lobed,
cordiform,
stipules
deciduous.
J.
gossypifolia leaves are opposite 3-5 lobed, deciduous in
Cytological observation
winter, stipules are ciliate, petiole and leaf blade covered
with glandular hairs. J. glandulifera Leaves are palmate, 3-
A detailed karyomorphological study of Jatropha
was
made
with
reference
to
somatic metaphase
Elumalai et al., 2013
Fig. 1. Morphology of Jatropha species (a. J. curcas, b. J. gossypifolia, c. J. glandulifera d. J. multifida)
a
b
c
d
Fig. 2. Jatropha curcas – Leaf section. Anatomy of J.curcas leaf (a. Dorsiventrally differentiated (dicot) leaf with cystolith,
multilayered palisade parenchyma and transfusion tissue (Transfer cells), b. Enlarged view of transfusion tissue (Transfer
cells) and Latex vessels (Laticiferous tissues), c. Cystolith (Calcium oxalate crystals) as a reserved food material
characteristics to the family Euphorbiaceae).
a
b
c
Elumalai et al., 2013
Fig. 3. Jatropha curcas – Leaf Epidermis. Epidermal peeling of J. cucas (a. J. curcas stomata (Paracytic type) and b.
Enlarged view of stomata with two guard cells and two subsidiary cells parallel to the guard cells (Paracytic type) with
surrounding epidermal cells).
a
b
Table 1. Karyotype analysis of Jatropha curcas Linn. (2n=22)
Chromosome
Type
S
S1
V
V1
J
I
No
2
2
6
4
4
4
Chromosome length in µm
Total
length
Long
arm
Short
arm
3.4
3.0
2.8
2.2
2.4
1.2
2.0
2.0
1.4
1.1
1.6
0.8
1.4
1.0
1.4
1.1
0.8
0.4
Ratio
L/S
Relative
length
1.4
2.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
2.0
13.0
11.5
10.7
8.4
9.2
4.6
Position of centromere
Chromosome with two centromere
Chromosome with two centromere
Median
Median
Sub-median
Sub-terminal
The somatic chromosome number has been observed to be 2n=22 (Fig. 4a). This is in confirmity with the previous finding
(Perry, 1943; Miller and Webster, 1962). The absolute chromosome length is: 26 µm; The average chromosome length is:
1
1
2.5 µm. Karyotype formula = 2n=22=S2 =3.4 µm +S 2 = 3.0 µm +V6=2.8 µm +V 4 =2.2 µm+J4=2.4 µm +I4=1.2 µm.
Table 2. Karyotype analysis of Jatropha gossypifolia (2n=22)
Chromosome
Chromosome length in µm
Type
No
Total
length
S
S1
V
V1
J
I
2
2
6
4
4
4
3.6
3.0
3.0
2.4
2.4
1.2
Long
arm
Short
arm
2.4
2.0
1.5
1.2
1.6
0.8
1.2
1.0
1.5
1.2
0.8
0.4
Ratio
L/S
2.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
2.0
Relative
length
Position of centromere
12.8
10.7
10.7
8.5
8.5
4.2
Chromosome with two centromere
Chromosome with two centromere
Median
Median
Sub-median
Sub-terminal
The somatic chromosome number has been observed to be 2n=22 (Fig. 4b). This is in confirmity with the previous finding
(Perry, 1943; Miller and Webster, 1962). The absolute chromosome length is: 28 µm; The average chromosome length is:
1
1
2.6 µm. Karyotype formula =2n=22=S2=3.6 µm+S 2 =3.0 µm+V6=3.0 µm+V 4 =2.4 µm+J4=2.4 µm+I4=1.2 µm.
Elumalai et al., 2013
Table 3. Karyotype analysis of Jatropha glandulifera (2n=22)
Chromosome length in µm
Chromosome
Type
No
Total
length
S
S1
V
V1
J
I
2
2
6
4
4
4
3.4
3.0
3.0
2.4
2.2
1.4
Long
arm
Short
arm
2.4
2.0
1.5
1.2
1.4
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.5
1.2
0.8
0.4
Ratio
L/S
Relative
length
2.4
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.7
2.5
12.5
11.1
11.1
8.8
8.1
5.1
Position of centromere
Chromosome with two centromere
Chromosome with two centromere
Median
Median
Sub-median
Sub-terminal
The somatic chromosome number has been observed to be 2n=22 (Fig. 4c). This is the first report of chromosome number.
The absolute chromosome length is: 27 µm; The average chromosome length is: 2.5 µm. Karyotype formula =
1
1
2n=22=S2=3.4 µm+S 2 =3.0 µm+V6=3.0 µm+V 4 =2.4 µm+J4=2.2 µm+I4=1.4 µm.
Table 4. Karyotype analysis of Jatropha multifida (2n=22)
Chromosome
Chromosome length in µm
Type
No
Total
length
Long
arm
Short
arm
S
S1
V
V1
J
I
2
2
6
4
4
4
3.2
3.0
2.6
2.4
2.4
1.2
2.0
2.0
1.3
1.2
1.6
0.8
1.2
1.0
1.3
1.2
0.8
0.4
Ratio
L/S
Relative
length
1.6
2.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
2.0
12.3
11.5
10
9.2
9.2
4.6
Position of centromere
Chromosome with two centromere
Chromosome with two centromere
Median
Median
Sub-median
Sub-terminal
The somatic chromosome number has been observed to be 2n=22 (Fig. 4d). This is in confirmity with the previous finding
(Perry, 1943; Miller and Webster, 1962). The absolute chromosome length is: 26 µm; The average chromosome length is:
1
1
2.4 µm. Karyotype formula = 2n=22=S2=3.2 µm+S 2 =3.0 µm+V6=2.6 µm+V 4 =2.4 µm+J4=2.4 µm+I4=1.2 µm
chromosome. The morphology of chromosomes, diploid
centromere. S1 =
number
primary
of
a
species,
are
important
for
species
Short chromosome with submedian
centromere
and
subterminal
secondary
differentiation. Cytological work on various genera and
centromere.
species of Euphorbiaceae were carried out (Lewis et al
J=
Long chromosome with submedian centromere
(1962); Mangenot and Mangenot, 1962; Abraham et al.,
J1 =
Short chromosome with submedian centromere
1964). The chromosomes were classified on the basis of
V=
Long chromosome with median centromere
primary and secondary constructions and presence or
V1 =
Short chromosome with median centromere
absence
I=
Chromosome with subterminal centromere
chromosomes the following method of Levitzky (1931) has
B=
‘B’ chromosome
been adopted. S = Long chromosome with submedian
Karyotype formulae have been made for all the species
primary
studied and presented in separate table for each taxa
of
satellite.
centromere
For
and
the
categorization,
subterminal
of
secondary
Elumalai et al., 2013
(Tables 1-4). It was noted that in all the species of
mitotic and meiotic abnormalities have been made in the
Plate-4.
Jatropha 2n number was 22. ThePlate-4.
symbol adopted for the
four taxa of Jatropha, to understand the interrelationship
Mitosis
morphology of
chromosome is Mitosis
according to Levitzky
Metaphase
Metaphase
(1931) (Fig. 4).
Plate-4.
among them. First record of chromosome number has been
made in one taxa (J. glandulifera) and chromosome
Plate-4.
Fig. 4. Diploid chromosome number of Jatropha species
number of the rest of the species confirms the earlier
Mitosis
2n = 22 chromosomes
(a. J. curcas, Mitosis
b. J. gossypifolia, c. J.
records. The cytological studies (mitosis) show that the
Metaphase
Metaphase
glandulifera, d. J. multifida)
a
basic chromosome number of Jatropha is n=11 (haploidgametic)
b
and
2n=22
(diploid-somatic)
chromosome
numbers are of common occurrence in all the taxa of
Jatropha species studied. The presence of asymmetrical
(1) J. curcas
(2) J. gossypifolia
(1) J. curcas
(2) J. gossypifolia
karyotypes,
shortest chromosome / longest chromosome
ratios, short arm / long arm ratios, relative length of
chromosomes and sub terminal kinetochores reveal the
c
d
(1) J. curcas
(1) J. curcas
advanced cytological characters of the genus Jatropha and
(2) J. gossypifolia
(2) J. gossypifolia
the family Euphorbiaceae. J. curcas is a biodiesel yielding
plant and the rest of the three species of Jatropha are
ornamental with medicinal values. Thus, this study is an
investigation of the four taxa of Jatropha in the family
Conclusion
(3) J. glandulifera
(3) J. glandulifera
(4) J. multifida
Euphorbiaceae which forms an attempt towards an
(4) J. multifida
Biosystematical studies with special reference to
advancement of knowledge.
morphological, anatomical and cytological characters have
Acknowledgements
been made in four taxa of Jatropha, to understand the
The authors are thankful to the authorities of
interrelationship among them. In this study, anatomical
Annamalai University and Dr. R. Panneerselvam, Professor
(4) J. multifida
(4) all
J. multifida
were made in
the species of
and Head, Dean Faculty of Sciences, Department of
Jatropha revealed unique features. Of these, J. curcas has
Botany, Annamalai University for having provided
more laticiferous tissues than the other three species.
laboratory facility and encouragements.
d
c
Similarly in J. curcas the photosynthetic tissues,
glandulifera
(3) J. glandulifera
studies (3)
of J.leaf
sections
particularly the palisade had two or three rows of cells in
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