Desynapsis and Sterility in Solanum wendlandii Hook

Abstract
The cause of sterility in S, wendlandii (2n = 24) is shown to be non-pairing of the chromosomes at meiosis. Only a few pollen mother cells show normal chromosome behavior. In most cells few bivalents are formed, 4 to 20 per cell. Unequal disjunction is common. Anaphase I and II, along with tetrad formation are highly irregular. More than 60% of the pollen grains are empty.