Cytotaxonomy of the Andropogoneae

A brief review of the taxonomic history of the genus Sorghum is presented, as well as a key to the five subgenera; Para-sorghum, Stiposorghum Eu-sorghum, Chaetosorghum and Heterosorghum.2. The cytology of the genus is reviewed. Forty-three species, including all five subgenera, are now known.3. Four species, S. conspicuurn, S. aethiopicum, S. niloticum, and S. timorense, are reported for the first time. All were 2n=20.4. Both auto- and allopolyploidy is found commonly in the genus but the autopolyploids are apparently restricted to the Para and Stiposorghums. Intraspecific polyploidy is found to occur in two species, S. nitidum and S. plumosum.5. A brief review of the geographical distribution of each subgenus and the individual species studied is given.6. A review of the interspecific hybridization work is also given, and the need for a more systematic approach to this problem is suggested.7. A brief discussion of the phylogenetic relationship of the five subgenera is presented, which included a survey of both the morphological and cytological information.