Chromosome line and characterization of nine Turkish alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) lines were investigated using karyological techniques in this study. Root tips were obtained from germinated alfalfa seeds in petri dishes at room temperature (25°C) for visualizing somatic chromosomes. The chromosome numbers of nine alfalfa lines were determined as 2n=4x=32. The karyotype formula of 2n=32= 30m+ 2sm (30 median + 2 submedian) were noted for Line 1, 2and 3. Whereas, Line 4, 6, 8, 9 showed the karyotype formula of 2n=32=32m (32 median). The karyotype formula of Line 5 and 7 were 2n=32=28m+4sm (28 median + 4 submedian). Satellite chromosome pairs were observed from Line 5. The results of the karyotype asymmetry index analysis showed that intrachromosomal asymmetry is higher than interchromosomal asymmetry in the karyotypes of alfalfa lines.

Karyotype properties of of six endemic Onobrychis taxa (O. beata, O. cilicica, O. fallax, O. podperae, O. sulphurea and O. lasistanica) naturally grown in Turkey were determined using squash preparation method and similarity of these endemics with cultivated taxon (O. viciifolia) were revealed. Ploidy levels of Onobrychis taxa were diploid (2n=14) except O. lasistanica and O. viciifolia (2n=28). Basic chromosome number is x=7 and chromosomes ranged from median to sub median with regard to centromere position. While the longest total chromosome length was measured in O. cilicica (28.21 µm), the shortest total chromosome length was in O. beata (21.47 µm). O. cilicica and O. sulphurea have satellite on chromosome 1 and chromosome 2, respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to determine the relationships among the Onobrychis taxa and they were separated into three groups. O. fallax, and O. podperae were in the first group while O. sulphurea and O. cilicica were in the second group. O. beata, O. lasistanica, and O. viciifolia were assigned to the third group.

Karyotype properties of of six endemic Onobrychis taxa (O. beata, O. cilicica, O. fallax, O. podperae, O. sulphurea and O. lasistanica) naturally grown in Turkey were determined using squash preparation method and similarity of these endemics with cultivated taxon (O. viciifolia) were revealed. Ploidy levels of Onobrychis taxa were diploid (2n=14) except O. lasistanica and O. viciifolia (2n=28). Basic chromosome number is x=7 and chromosomes ranged from median to sub median with regard to centromere position. While the longest total chromosome length was measured in O. cilicica (28.21 µm), the shortest total chromosome length was in O. beata (21.47 µm). O. cilicica and O. sulphurea have satellite on chromosome 1 and chromosome 2, respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to determine the relationships among the Onobrychis taxa and they were separated into three groups. O. fallax, and O. podperae were in the first group while O. sulphurea and O. cilicica were in the second group. O. beata, O. lasistanica, and O. viciifolia were assigned to the third group.