Abstract
The rate of early seed development was studied in 3B × 3B and 0B × 0B crosses of pearl millet. B chromosomes have a retarding effect on the rate of endosperm development at about the middle of the coenocytic phase (24 h), at the time of and just after cellularization. The increase of endosperm cycle time in 3B versus 0B plants was 27%. The rate of embryo development was similar in both 0B and 3B plants up to 48 h postpollination but was significantly different at 72 h. Here the increase of cycle time in 3B versus 0B plants was 20%. Thus the effect of 3B plants on cell cycle was greater in both the embryo and the endosperm than has been reported previously for the root tip (13%). Nondisjunction of B chromosomes in both embryo and endosperm starts quite early. The mean number of B chromosomes per cell in the endosperm exceeded that of the embryo in all cases, probably owing to a fusion of three nuclei in the former compared with two nuclei in the latter.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
