Silver Nitrate Staining of Nucleolar Organizer Regions (Ag-NORs) in Plant Chromosomes
Claudio Palma-Rojas1, Pedro Jara-Seguel2,3, Cristian Araya-Jaime1,4
1Departamento de Biología, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile.
Abstract:
Silver nitrate staining to evidence the location of nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs) in chromosomes is widely used as a classical method in plant cytogenetics. Here, we present the most used procedures and highlight some aspects in terms of their replicability by plant cytogeneticists. Some technical features described are materials and methods used, procedures, protocol modifications, and precautions in order to obtain positive signals. The methods to obtain Ag-NOR signals have different degrees of replicability, but do not require any sophisticated technology or equipment for their application.
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