Identification of Allium cepa L. cultivars by means of statistical analysis of C-banded chromosomes

Summary The C-banded karyotypes of six Allium cepa cultivars, including five dry onions and one shallot, were investigated. Chromosome length and banding patterns were statistically analysed. The value of C-banding for distinguishing these Allium cepa cultivars was tested by the application of a discriminant analysis. It appeared that chromosomal differences between cultivars exist, but are too small to be clearly demonstrated with moderate efforts. Large variation within plants and between plants within cultivars, presumably for the greater part caused by the applied method, obscured the variation between the cultivars.