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Apomixis in Eulaliopsis binata: characterization of reproductive mode and endosperm development

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Abstract

Apomixis represents an alteration of classical sexual plant reproduction to produce seeds with essentially clonal embryos, stimulating wide interest from biologists and plant breeders for its ability to fix heterosis. Eulaliopsis binata (Poaceae), is identified here as a new apomictic species. Embryological investigation indicates that the developmental pattern of embryo sac formation in E. binata represents gametophytic apospory, the embryo originating from an unreduced cell, without fertilization and the mode of endosperm development was autonomous. Sexual embryo sacs were found with a frequency of 1–4% depending on the biotype. The DNA content of nuclei (C-value) in mature seeds was screened by flow cytometry (FCSS) and demonstrated that the endosperm was derived autonomously without fertilization and the three biotypes of E. binata showed varying degrees of apomixis. The Wide-leaf type showed obligate apomixis whereas the Slender-leaf and the Red-haulm type displayed facultative apomixis. In addition, adventitious embryos were observed on the wall of ovary, integument and nucellus cells, indicating that E. binata produces embryos via a mixture of apospory and adventitious embryony.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr. Matthew Tucker for his advice and help in revising the manuscript. We are also grateful to Prof. Zhou Dao Xiu and Prof. Scott Russell for their help on this manuscript. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30670127).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China

    Jia-Ling Yao, Yun Zhou & Chun-Gen Hu

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  1. Jia-Ling Yao
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  2. Yun Zhou
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  3. Chun-Gen Hu
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Correspondence to Jia-Ling Yao.

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Communicated by Scott Russell.

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Yao, JL., Zhou, Y. & Hu, CG. Apomixis in Eulaliopsis binata: characterization of reproductive mode and endosperm development. Sex Plant Reprod 20, 151–158 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00497-007-0051-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00497-007-0051-y

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