A Semi-asynaptic Plant of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. (=Hibiscus esculentus L.)

Abstract

1. A semi-asynaptic plant of Abelrnoschus esculentus (L.) Moens. has been reported and its morphology and cytology have been described. The plant showed luxuriant vegetative growth, produced a large number of flowers and fruits. It grew for a much longer time than normal plants. The normal looking fruits were, however, smaller than the fruits of normal ones and were completely empty.
2. On cytological examinations pollen mother cells showed complete or partial failure of the pairing of chromosomes at meiosis. The univalents generally divided into two chromatids at first anaphase. Inspite of these meiotic irregularities some normal looking pollen grains were found and they germinated on the stigma forming small pollen tubes, which indicates that pollen grains can presumably to some extent survive the loss of some genes. Perhaps this is due to polyploid nature of this plant.
3. Crossing experiments showed that no functional eggs were organised, hence the meiotic irregularities were presumably on the female side also. The formation of normal fruits was presumably due to the stimulus received from growth of pollen tubes through the style.