Cytology and Morphogenesis of Embryo and Endosperm Tissues of Dendrophthoe and Taxillus

Abstract

Cytological and morphogenetical studies were conducted on the tissues obtained in vitro, from the mature embryo and endosperm of three mistletoes: Dendrophthoe falcata, Taxillus cuneatus and T. vestitus (Loranthaceae). Differentiation of shoot buds and haustoria was observed during repeated subcultures of the embryo and endosperm tissues (on a similar medium). Cytological preparations of the embryonal and endosperm callus, and organs differntiated therefrom, showed the diploid (2n=18) and triploid number (3n=27) of chromosomes, respectively. A cytological study of D. falcata (in vivo) indicated regular meiosis (n=9) during microsporogenesis. The developing embryo, endosperm, and fruit wall tissues exhibited constant chromosome numbers: 18, 27 and 18, respectively. The morphology as well as anatomy of diploid and triploid organs, differentiated in vitro, was more or less comparable.