Mitotic karyotype structure, meiotic behavior, pollen characteristics and seed setting of six species of genus Setaria
were investigated in six species of Setaria L. Setaria verticillata, S. italica, S.viridis and S. glauca were found diploid
(2n = 18) and S. sphacelata and S. plaicatilis are tetarploids ( 2n = 36 ). Karyotype measurements of the diploid
species, to some extent, reflect their genetic stability except S. italica. This species has the longest chromosomes
among the investigated species with degree of variation between chromosomes. A degree of variation was also
observed in the karyotype of tetraploids. Irregular meiosis, chain trivalents and univalents were observed in S. italica
and S. sphacelata. Other diploid species show regular meiosis. Tetraploids show various types of meiotic
chromosome associations. Tetraploids also showed large pollen compared with diploids. Pollen fertility and seed
setting of dipliod species are higher compared to that recorded for tetraploids.