Cytological investigation on pre and post fertilization barriers in interspecific cross of pigeonpea

Abstract

The research deals with cytological investigation on pre and post-fertilization barriers, pollen fertility assessment and in vitro pollen germination in Cajanus cajan (CO 8) and C. cajanifolius. To determine the fertility of the species potassium iodide test was done. Cajanus cajan (CO 8) and Cajanus cajanifolius, were found to have fertility more than 97 per cent. Through in vitro pollen germination, it was ascertained that Cajanus cajan (CO 8) and Cajanus cajanifolius were found to be equally viable. Pollen-pistil interaction in wide crosses was analysed by fluorescent microscopy. At 2 HAP, higher pollen germination percentage was found in direct (83.6%) and reciprocal crosses (81.2%). At 24 HAP, lower pollen tube growth percentage was found in direct (46.7%) and reciprocal crosses (26.8%). In direct cross, pod set per cent was found to be less, indicating post-fertilization barrier. In reciprocal cross, there was no pod set, which indicates pre-fertilization barrier. Keywords: Fluorescence microscopy, C. cajan, C. cajanifolius, Aniline blue technique, pollen pistil interactions