Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Histological analysis of embryo-sac formation and detection of meiotic diplospory in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

  • Published:
Euphytica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Embryo-sac formation in six cultivated Asian cassava clones and one unknown ‘wild type’, was histologically investigated to determine apomictic potential in the genus Manihot. All the 6 clones were found to possess one single sexual embryo-sac containing 6–8 nuclei at maturity. However, one clone, ‘Rayong 3’ possessed two functional embryo-sacs at 12 hours after controlled pollination (HACP). The larger embryo-sac was 6-nucleate (all 3 nuclei of the egg apparatus, 1 polar and 2 antipodal cells) and located towards the ‘false micropylar’ or the nucellar beak region. The smaller embryo-sac also contained a total of 6 nuclei and approximately 10 μm3 or 1/2 the volume of the former and located towards the chalazal pole. Percentage sexuality estimates indicated a 100% sexual reproduction in embryo-sacs of all the clones analysed. However, apomeiotic relationships indicate a low (0.3%) degree of meiotic diplosporous embryo-sac formation, thus suggesting facultative apomixis in cv. ‘Rayong 3’. This is the first embryological identification and evidence of apomeiosis and apomictic potential in cassava.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bashaw, E.C., 1980. Apomixis and its application in crop improvement. In: W.R. Fehr & H.H. Hadley (Eds) Hybridization of Crop plants. pp. 45–62. American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America, Madison, W.I.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carderini, O. & A. Mariani, 1995. Megagametophyte organization in diploid alfalfa meiotic mutants producing 4n pollen and 2n eggs. Theor. Appl. Genet. 90: 135–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Capinpin, J.M. & V.C. Bruce, 1955. Floral biology and cytology of Manihot utilissima. Philippine Agriculturist 39 (16): 306–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandraratna, M.F. & K.D.S.S. Nanayakkara, 1948. Studies in Cassava. II. The production of hybrids. Trop. Agric. 104: 59–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dujardin, M. & W.W. Hanna, 1985. Cytology and reproduction of reciprocal backcrosses between pearl millet and sexual and apomictic hybrids of pearl millet x Pennisetum squammulatum. Crop Sci. 25: 59–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graner, E.A., 1935. Contribution to the cytological study of cassava. Piracicaba, Brazil, Escola Superior de Agricultura ‘Luiz de Queiroz’. (In Portuguese with English abstract) 28 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, S.K., K.V. Bai & R. Asiedu, 1990. Tetraploids, triploids, and 2n pollen from diploid interspecific crosses with cassava. Theor. Appl. Genet. 79: 433–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hershey, C.H., 1993. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). In: G. Kalloo & B.O. Bergh (Eds) Genetic improvement of vegetable crops. pp. 669–691. Pergamon Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • IITA, 1988. IITA annual report and research highlights, 1987/88, pp. 122–125.

  • IITA, 1990. Cassava in Tropical Africa. A reference manual. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jefferson, R.A., 1993. Beyond Model Systems: New strategies, methods and mechanisms for agricultural research. Biotech. R & D Trends 700: 53–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawano, K., 1980. Cassava: In: W.R. Fehr & H.H. Hadley (Eds) Hybridization of Crop plants, pp. 225–233. American Society of Agronomy/Crop Science Society of America, Madison, W.I.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawano, K., A. Limsila, A. Tongglum & D. Superhan, 1990. Cassava cultivar evolution viewed through harvest index and biomass production. Proc. 8th Intl. Trop. Root Crops., ISTRC, Bangkok, pp. 202–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koltunow, A.M., 1993. Apomixis: Embryo-sac and embryos formed without meiosis or fertilization in ovules. Plant Cell 5: 1425–1437.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendiburu, A.O. & S.J. Peloquin, 1976. Sexual polyploidization and depolyploidization: some terminology and definitions. Theor. Appl. Genet. 48: 137–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mol, R., E. Mathyl-Rochon & C. Dumas, 1994. The Kinetics of cytological events during double fertilization in Zea mays L. The Plant Journal 5 (2): 197–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakagawa, H., 1990. Embryo-sac analysis and crossing procedure for breeding apomictic guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) JARQ 24: 163–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakagawa, H., N. Shimizu & W.W. Hanna, 1993. Cytology of ‘Natsukaze’ Guinea grass, a natural apomictic hybrid between a sexual and an apomictic plant. J. Japan. Grassl. Sci. 39: 374–380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakajima, K. & N. Mochizuki, 1983. Degree of sexual plants of guinea grass by the simplified embryo sac analysis. Japan. J. Breed. 33: 45–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogburia, N.M. & T. Adachi, 1994a. Embryological basis of fertilization failure in Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Breed. Sci. 44 (suppl. 2): 270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogburia, N.M. & T. Adachi, 1994b. An improved cleared-pistil technique for rapid in toto observation of embryo-sac malformation in Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Abstracts booklet. pp. 37. Proceedings of the Second International Scientific Meeting, CBN II, held at Bogor, Indonesia, 22–26 August 1994. CBN/CIAT, Colombia CRIFC/AARD, Indonesia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogburia, N.M. & T. Adachi, 1995. Embryo-sac morpho-structural analysis of developmental pathways of fertilization failure, seed abortion and poor germination in Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Cytologia 60: 75–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, N.P. & D. Rao, 1976. Embryology of cassava. Proc. Indian Natn. Sci. Acad. Vol. 42, Part B, Nos, 2 & 3, 111–116.

  • Sarakarn, S., 1993. Cassava varietal improvement in Thailand. TCDC/FAO/Japanese Govt. project paper. pp. 1–15.

  • Skiebe, K., 1958. Bedeutung von unreduzierten Gameten fur die Polyploidiezuchtung bei der Fliederprimel (Primula malacoides Franchet) Zuchter 28: 353–359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang, C.Y., K.F. Schertz & E.C. Bashaw, 1980. Apomixis in Sorghum lines and their F1 progenies. Bot. Gaz. 141 (3): 294–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tavoletti, S., 1994. Cytological mechanisms of 2n egg formation in a diploid genotype of Medicago sativa subsp. falcata, Euphytica 75: 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veilleux, R., 1985. Diploid and polyploid gametes in crop plants: Mechanisms of formation and utilization in plant breeding. Pl. Breed. Rev. 3: 253–288.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Genetics & Biotechnology Division, Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki University, Gakuen Kibanadai Nishi 1-1, 889-21, Miyazaki, Japan

    M. N. Ogburia & T. Adachi

Authors
  1. M. N. Ogburia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. Adachi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Contribution from Plant Breeding Laboratory, Applied Genetics & Biotechnology Division, Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki University, No. 91.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ogburia, M.N., Adachi, T. Histological analysis of embryo-sac formation and detection of meiotic diplospory in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Euphytica 88, 9–16 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00029260

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00029260

Key words

Search

Navigation