Cytopalynological studies of<i>arachis</i>(leguminosae)

Abstract

Abstract The present cytopalynological study relates to the pollen morphology of Arachis L., comprising diploid wild species, tetraploid species including the cultivated A. hypogaea (ground nut), diploid interspecific hybrids, and triploids and hexaploids of cultivars of A. hypogaea and of diploid wild species. In general, the pollen grains are 3-zonocolpate and reticulate/fossulate and trends in pollen variations have been noticed with regard to aperture and exine ornamentation. The size, shape and number of lumina (per unit area) as seen in SEM picture have provided the basic parameter for taxonomic differentiation of the species and even cultivars (in the case of A. hypogaea), and in the assessment of inheritance pattern in the hybrids.