Embryology of Paspalum dilatatum

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Abstract
The time interval between pollination and fertilization, under average summer conditions, is 8-12 hrs. Following division of the zygote, the subsequent planes of cell division in the pro-embryo are irregular, and apparently no special significance can be attached to the sequence of cell divisions or to the arrangement of cells in the early development of the embryo. The proembryo is almost round for the first 60 hrs. after pollination. The development of the embryo from initiation of the axis (3 days) to maturity follows that of the ordinary grass type of embryo. The development of the various portions of embryo formation were traced in series of developmental stages. The embryo of P. dilatatum is mature 14-18 days after pollination. The mature embryo of P. dilatatum differs from the embryo of many grasses in that it has only one foliage leaf and no epiblast. Cleavage polyembryony has been found in P. dilatatum which might well be one cause of the low yield of viable seed.