Structure of embryo sac, fertilization and development of embryo in Swedish clover (Trifolium hybridum L.) plants with reduced leaves

Abstract

The causes of poor fertility and female infertility of Swedish clover plants with reduced leaves were investigated. Embryological analyses demonstrated that in these plants deviations are more frequent in megasporoand megagametogenesis than in plants with normal leaves. The ovaries of plants with reduced leaves are frequently not coalesced and the ovules hang out beyond the ovary on tong funiculus. It is supposed that the hanging out of ovules on the long funiculus often makes fertilization difficult or impossible. Therefore, plants with reduced leaves exhibit low fertility or are sterile.