Male meiosis and pollen morphology of some populations of Ledebouria revoluta (Asparagaceae) from India

In the present study 18 populations of Ledebouria revoluta were investigated for their male meiosis and pollen morphology to understand the diversity in the meiotic course and to know whether the pollen size and viability correlate to its chromosome numbers. Three gametic chromosome counts were observed, i.e., n=15, 30, and 45 indicating the presence of three cytotypes. Various stages, including diakinesis, metaphase I, anaphase I, telophase I, metaphase II, anaphase II, and tetrads were observed. Meiotic anomalies such as laggards and bridge formation were observed. Laggards were observed in BU and AS populations, while bridge formation was observed in PH, RA, and BUT populations. Both laggards and bridge formation were observed in BA and JU populations. Pollen viability was assessed for all the populations and the values ranged from 99.12% (NE population) to 65.48 (AS population). In general, the viability percentage was more than 80%. Pollen features of the L. revoluta populations were examined for the first time. Pollen grains were monosulcate, heteropolar, elliptical, and oblate. The highest (23.57±0.52 µm) polar length (P) was observed in JU population and the lowest (17.34±0.59 µm) in AR population. The increase in chromosome number did not affect the size or morphology of the pollen grains.