In present Study an attempt has been made to describe mitotic and meiotic behavior in some species of Cenchrus L. (Poaceae) from Thar Desert, Rajasthan. The name Cenchrus comes from the Greek word “Kenchrous” meaning millet. Cenchrus L. is an extremely variable genus having both annual and perennial species. Morphologically Cenchrus is very similar to Pennisetum. All species of Cenchrus are very much similar in their morphology except few micromorphological variations. It is a xerophytic C4 grass, which grows in bunches and more often with creeping rhizomes. These grasses can exist under minimal level of precipitation ranging from as low as 95 mm to 1000 mm. Cenchrus is very efficient in water usages as its root draws soil moisture rapidly as compared to other plants. Various traits are known to wild species of genus Cenchrus but due to lack of enough studies their full potential has not been exercised. Chromosomal homology is observed amongst the species under study. The most common zygotic number amongst them is 34 and 36. Cytologically Cenchrus biflorus and C. setigerus seems to be more closer but as per their habitat C. ciliaris and C. setigerus leave closer. As per reports, C. setigerus shows highest amount of polyploidy that is most probably linked with its stunted growth with smallest size of panicle as compared to C. ciliaris and C. biflorus. An attempt has been made to study chromosomal behavior of three species common in our region so that these details can further be utilized to exploit these species for their full potential.
