Microsporogenesis in the Cucumber

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Abstract
The primary sporogenous cells (of a variety of Cucumis sativus) function directly as the microspore mother cells. The meager chromatin and linin in the spore mother cells are arranged in a fine network of anastomosing threads. A perinuclear zone of radiating fibers appears during early prophase. Mitochondria and extra-nuclear nucleoli, scattered throughout the cytoplasm, are prominent in later stages. The slender chromatin threads tend to pair parasynaptically. The multipolar spindle seems to arise within the nucleus. The haploid number is 7, diploid 14. Ordinarily in cucumber, the large globular nucleolus disappears by gradually decreasing in size, but the budded part may elongate and later the disappearing nucleolus resembles a chromosome. Disparity in chromosome numbers may be traced to such phenomena. A large spindle is formed during interkinesis and 6 spindles connect the tetrad nuclei. No cell plates were observed during reduction divisions. Quadripartition of the pollen mother cells takes place by furrowing of the plasma membrane. Some abortion and abnormal pollen was noticed.

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