Abstract: Four different methods including trypsin urea, SDS and NaOH are presented for the in situ induction of G-bands and macrocoils on the chromosomes of Secale cereale, Hordeum vulgare and Vicia faba. The bands obtained were numerous and along the whole chromosome, the number of the G-bands was much interrelated with the condensation of chromosomes. The bands of homologous chromosomes in some cells were matchable. The G-banded chromosomes in late prophase have nearly reached high resolution level. When incubation periods were beyond critical time for G-banding, macrocoils were often revealed. Gyre number changed with chromosome condensation and the direction of coils has showed different patterns. Transformation of G-bands into macrocoils was first reported in plant chromosomes. Some chromosomes showing G-bands under light microscope appeared spiral patterns under scanning electron microscope. In this paper the relationship between G-bands and macrocoils in plant chromosomes is also discussed.

Key words: Plant chromosomes, G-banding, Macrocoil