Varied chromosome distribution behaviours during meiosis in triploid Chinese chives contribute to the formation of viable pollen.

Abstract

Triploids play an important role in the polyploidization process and are considered a bridge between diploids and polyploids. To inform plant polyploidization research and polyploid breeding, it is important to explore chromosome behaviour during triploid pollen development, pollen fertility problems in triploids and the potential value of utilizing triploids. In this study, acetocarmine, carbol fuchsin and fluorescence staining methods were used to observe microsporogenesis and microspore development in fertile triploid Chinese chives. The results revealed that some of the pollen mother cells were able to undergo equal chromosome distributions (approximately 36%), whereas other pollen mother cells formed lagging chromosomes, chromosome bridges, micronuclei and early cytoplasmic divisions during microsporogenesis, resulting in microspores of different sizes. Regardless of whether an equal tetrad or an abnormal polyad was formed, microspores were released from callose in a normal manner and contained nuclei. During the process of microspore development, most of the microspore nuclei disappeared gradually and ultimately formed empty pollen cells that lacked nuclei. During the meiosis of pollen mother cells in triploid Chinese chives, a variety of chromosome distribution behaviours contribute to the formation of some viable pollen.