Meiotic Behavior, Pollen Fertility and Seed Production in Brazilian Populations of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (Umbelliferae)

Abstract

The mieotic behavior of five populations of Centella asiatica from the southern region of Brazil was evaluated. A high incidence of irregularities occurred in all populations, especially irregular chromosome segregation, abnormal spindles, chromosome transfer among microsporocytes, and sticky chromosomes. These irregularities may be attributed in part to the large number of chromosomes detected in these populations (2n=54) suggesting hexaploidy, a phenomenon detected here for the first time in this species. The high pollen sterility and low seed production observed in these populations must be due to these irregularities.