Cytomixis in Maize Microsporocytes

Abstract

A set of inbred lines and single-cross and double-cross maize hybrids grown on acid and corrected soil of the Brazilian Central Plateau were tested for meiotic behavior. Among them, five inbred lines and five double-cross hybrids presented plants exhibiting cells connected by cytoplasmic channels which in several cases showed the passage of chromatin material. All meiotic stages were affected on both soil types. Although the phenomenon occurred at low frequency, it was observed between cells within the same stage, in different stages, or even between meiocytes and tapetum cells. Two to several cells were involved simultaneously. Anucleate cells close to bi-or trinucleate cells were frequently observed as well as cells exhibiting aneuploidy or polyploidy, syncythia, mixoploidy and abnormal tetrads.