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Cytology, Reproductive Behavior, and Fertility Characteristics of Centipedegrass 1
Author(s) -
Hanna W. W.,
Burton G. W.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1978.0011183x001800050038x
Subject(s) - biology , bivalent (engine) , pollen , anthesis , meiosis , embryo , megaspore , botany , fertility , stamen , ovule , genetics , gene , population , chemistry , demography , organic chemistry , sociology , cultivar , metal
Centipedegrass, Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack., is an excellent lawn grass in the southeastern U.S. but information is limited on its cytology, reproductive characteristics, and fertility. Cytological observations on several introductions from China and on local sources of common centipedegrass showed that metaphase I meiosis was regular with nine bivalents; however, eight bivalents + two univalents were observed in 1 to 15% of the microsporocytes due to a precociously dividing bivalent. Pollen stainability ranged from 93 to 99%. Megasporogenesis and embryo sac development revealed normal sexual development and functional embryo sacs at anthesis. It was concluded that centipedegrass is a sexually reproducing species. Open‐pollinated, cross‐pollinated, and selfed seed ranged from 59 to 90%, 45 to 66%, and 0.0 to 58%, respectively. A self incompatibility system is present in centipedegrass.