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Sporogenesis and gametogenesis in Agapanthus praecox Willd. orientalis (Leighton) Leighton and their systematic implications

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Abstract

Micro- and megasporogenesis as well as male and female gametogenesis in genus Agapanthus are reported for the first time. The results are as follows: The anther wall, whose development is of dicotyledonous type, consists of four layers: the epidermis, the endothecium, one or two middle layers, and the secretory tapetum. Fibrous thickenings are developed in the endothecium when shed. Successive cytokinesis during microsporogenesis results in a decussate tetrad of microspores. Ellipsoidal pollen grains are 2-celled when anthers dehisce, with monosulcate extending to polar area; pollen ornamentation is pitted and reticulate. Ovary is superior and trilocular, with axial placenta. The ovule is anatropous, bitegmic, and tenuinucellate. The archesporial cell below nucellus epidermis functions directly as the megasporocyte. Successive cytokinesis in the megasporocyte usually produces a T-shape tetrad, and the chalazal megaspore of the tetrad develops into a Polygonum-type embryo sac. The systematic significance of embryological characters of Agapanthus is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are highly grateful to the School of Agriculture and Biology of Shanghai Jiaotong University for providing field and laboratory facilities. This study enjoyed generous support from the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (200802250010), National Science Fund of China (30571475), and the Key Project of the Shanghai Agricultural Committee (2006-4-9).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ornamental Plants and Horticulture, College of Landscape Architecture, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China

    Di Zhang & Li-Huan Zhuo

  2. Department of Landscape Science and Engineering, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Xiao-Hui Shen

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  1. Di Zhang
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  2. Li-Huan Zhuo
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  3. Xiao-Hui Shen
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Correspondence to Li-Huan Zhuo.

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Zhang, D., Zhuo, LH. & Shen, XH. Sporogenesis and gametogenesis in Agapanthus praecox Willd. orientalis (Leighton) Leighton and their systematic implications. Plant Syst Evol 288, 1–11 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-010-0280-7

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