Cytoembryological Studies on Indian Tragopogon L

Abstract

Cytology and embryology of two forms of Tragopogon gracile was studied. Meiosis is normal, rarely chromatin bridges and precocious separation of one of the bivalents have been observed. Karyotypic studies revealed minor differnces between the forms.
Anther wall development is of Dicotyledonous type. Microspore tetrads are formed by successive cytokinesis. Pollen grains are 2-celled at shedding. The embryo sac is of Polygonum type. Two to three per cent of capitula showed abnormal female gametophyte. Endosperm is ab initio cellular and embryogeny confirms to Asterad type. The T. gracile complex in Kashmir comprises at least two taxa (forms) and the dwarf named as T. gracile f. nanella nova.