Consequences of colchicine induced intermeiocyte connections in Helianthus annuus

Figures & data

Figure 1 (A) Chromatin transfer with one PMC at diakinesis; (B) migration of chromatin through cytoplasmic bridge; (C) empty cell with a remnant after migration of chromosomes; (D) complete migration of chromatin with one PMC showing bidirectional movement of chromatin; (E) cytoplasmic connection between cells with a single chromatin ball at junction, one PMC showing secondary association of chromosomes; (F) cytomixis between adjacent cells with one PMC at metaphase-II; (G) migration of chromatin material between cells in chain with one cell showing affinity to form connection; (H) simultaneous and multiple cytoplasmic connections in group of PMCs; (I) chromatin bridge between hyperploid PMCs; (J) tetrad and triad; (K) smaller and larger pollen grains (unreduced pollen); (L) fertile (stained), semi sterile (half stained) and sterile pollen grains (lightly stained).

Table 1. Frequency (in %) of cytomixis at different stages of meiosis in control and cytomictic plants.

Plant	Total no. of observations	Cytomixis at different stages (%)
		Zygotene	Pachytene	Diplotene	Diakinesis	Metaphase	Anaphase	Metaphase	Anaphase
						I	I	II	II
Control	50	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Colchicine treated
0.2%	50	—	26.12	6.89	—	—	—	—	—
0.4%	50	—	28.77	4.56	1.9	1.0	—	—	—
0.6%	50	2.6	76.12	8.42	6.66	2.2	1.8	1.32	0.88

Table 2. Pollen and ovule sterility percentage in control and cytomictic plants.

Plant	Total no. of observations	Tetrad	Tetrad abnormalities			Pollen sterility			Ovule sterility
			Diad	Triad	Pentad	Normal	Semi-sterile	Completely sterile
Control	50	100	—	—	—	98.78	1.32	—	2.94 ± 0.6
Colchicine treated
0.2%	50	97.64	—	—	2.36	98.12	1.88		5.32 ± 1.33
0.4%	50	95.89		2.51	1.56	85.56	8.47	5.97	14. 22 ± 1.14
0.6%	50	88.5	3.72	6.12	1.66	67.32	14.63	13.05	38.42 ± 1.21