DEVELOPMENT OF NON-DEHISCENT ANTHERS IN PARTIALLY MALE STERILE PLANTS OF PELARGONIUM X HORTORUM BAILEY CV. "JACQUELINE"

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Abstract
Partially male sterile plants are those in which more than 50% but less than 100% of the anthers are non-dehiscent, whereas male fertile plants have less than 5% non-functional anthers. Histological studies showed no differences between normal and sterile anther development until after the quartet stage of microsporogenesis. In sterile anthers the tapetum remained in position against the anther wall where it eventually degenerated and although the microspores initially increased in size they lost their contents before maturity. The endothecium of sterile anthers degenerated to a thin heavily stained line of tissue, no lip cells formed at the stromium and the partition of cells between the 2 microsporangia in each anther lobe failed to break down. Prior to anthesis the outer wall of the micro-sporangia had collapsed and the microspores were empty and shrunken.