The cytogenetics group of the Departamento de Plantas Forrageiras e Agrometeorologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil determined the chromosome numbers of all species of Leucaena. Cytogenetic results of some selected hybrids and wild and cultivated species of Leucaena are reviewed and discussed. The results showed an intra and interespecific chromosome number variability and the occurrence of multivalents even in the presumed diploid species (what supports a paleopolyploid origin for these species). This is a very important contribution and may reflect on the taxonomy and on the understanding of the complex evolution of Leucaena. These results suggest that cytogenetic studies should be part of all Leucaena breeding programs.
cytogenetics; evolution; Leucaena; plant breeding
