Chromosome Studies in Gasteria Species and Hybrids

抄録

Chromosome aberrations at meiosis and the microspore division were studied for 24 species and varieties and ten interspecific hybrids of Gasteria. All were diploids with 14 somatic chromosomes. Meiotic abnormalities at first metaphase were significantly more numerous in two of the hybrids and one of the species than they were in the other hybrids and species. Inversion bridges at first anaphase showed no significant difference. Microspore aberrations were fairly numerous in only one plant, a hybrid, and the difference between the species and hybrids was not significant. Pollen fertility was high in most of the species but significantly lower as a whole, in the hybrids. The species hybridize readily and the comparatively low frequency of aberrations coupled with the higher sterility of the hybrids indicates that differences exist largely at the genic rather than at the chromosomal level.