In this paper a simple and efficient metaphase chromosome preparation method from wheat has been described which also can be applied on most of other plants. Lack of using hydrolyzing chemicals such as hydrochloric acid in this method made the samples suitable for C-banding and in situ hybridization as well. Squeezing out the meristematic cells from the root tip region on to the surface of the slide is the main step of the described method, leading to get monolayer and clean preparations. In order to arrest cells in metaphase, colchicines, α-monobromonaphthalene, ice cold water, colchicines-ice cold water and α-monobromonaphthalene-ice cold water were compared to each other. Ice water pretreatment resulted in the highest metaphase index (up to 20% in some cultivars). Some preparations were used for in situ hybridization. The described method can be easily applied by beginner plant cytogeneticians.
