Abstract:An essential balm (EB) method was described for preparing mitotic chromosomes in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Briefly, root tips were pretreated with EB, fixed in 3:1 methanol-acetic acid. Chromosome specimens were made by squash and smear technique without cell wall degradation, and then stained with Giemsa. The G-bands of chromosomes could be distinctly visible with this method.