Occurrence of 2n and jumbo pollen in the Brazilian ginseng (Pfaffia glomerata and P. tuberosa)

An analysis of microsporogenesis was carried out in four populations of Pfaffia tuberosa (2n=4x=68) and in ten populations of P. glomerata(2n=2x=34). Monads, dyads and triads were reported at high frequency in all populations of P. tuberosa. In P. glomerata, on the other hand, only four populations presented monads, and at low frequency. Dyads and triads were observed in both species, albeit at a higher frequency in P. tuberosa populations. Certain abnormalities of spindles in the second division, such as sequential and tripolar spindles, led to triad formation by the rejoining of two chromosome sets. The precise causes of monad and dyad formation have not been found during meiosis, although evidence exists that dyads originated by omission of second meiosis and monads by omission of both meiotic divisions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Further cytological characteristics of a male-sterile mutant in soybean affecting cytokinesis and microspore development

A spontaneous male‐sterile mutation affecting microspore development has been found in BR97‐13509H line of the official Brazilian soybean breeding programme. Slightly abnormal and irregular chromosome segregation occurred in both meiotic divisions, albeit insufficient to explain total pollen sterility. The main cause of male sterility was the absence of cytokinesis after telophase II. Instead of the typical tetrads of microspores, four‐nucleate coenocytic microspores were formed. Coenocytic microspores resulting from the absence of cytokinesis have also been described in ms1 and ms4 male‐sterile soybean mutants, although with certain differential characteristics. In the BR97‐13509H mutant line, after interphase the four nuclei were rejoined in one or two metaphase plates and progressed through the first pollen mitosis. Pollen then underwent a progressive process of degeneration characterized by continuous cytoplasmic shrinkage. The second pollen mitosis failed to occur, and pollen sterility became total.     

蒙古冰草B染色体的研究

本文对原产于内蒙古西部地区的蒙古冰草（ＡｇｒｏｐｙｒｏｎｍｏｎｇｏｌｉｃｕｍＫｅｎｇ）进行了花粉母细胞减数分裂期染色体形态观察。发现在蒙古冰草减数分裂终变期有１～４条Ｂ染色体。它比正常染色体小，而且不与正常染色体配对．Ｂ染色体之间可以配对。