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Studies on male and female meiosis in Indian Allium

II. Autotetraploid Allium tuberosum

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Abstract

Male meiosis in autotetraploid Allium tuberosum (4×=32) is fairly regular, keeping in view its cytological status, with 81 percent of the chromosomes associated in quadrivalents and trivalents. About 5% of the cells have 32 univalents. Anaphase segregation is slightly irregular. While 48% of the pollen mitoses show 16 chromosomes, 87% of the mature pollen is viable as indicated by carmine or iodine staining. — Megaspore mother cells have 64 chromosomes associated in 32 bivalents at metaphase I. Anaphase segregation is normal. In three out of 56 cells studied multivalents, bivalents and univalents are observed as in male meiosis. — It is concluded that the species reproduces by pseudogamous parthenogenesis made possible by meiotic modification. This modification is almost perfect and almost completely specific for female meiosis. Slight effects are observed in male meiosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, 190006, Srinagar, India

    R. N. Gohil & Ranjana Kaul

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  1. R. N. Gohil
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  2. Ranjana Kaul
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Gohil, R.N., Kaul, R. Studies on male and female meiosis in Indian Allium . Chromosoma 82, 735–739 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285778

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285778

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