TITLE:
Florogenesis and Female Gametophyte Development in Allium cepa L. cv. Krishnapuram
AUTHORS:
Gujjula Vijaya Lakshmi, Mondam Muni Raja, Mude Lakshmipathi Naik, Sake Pradeep Kumar, Patan Shaik Sha Valli Khan
KEYWORDS:
Allium, Bangalore Rose, Female Gametophyte, Florogenesis, K.P. Onion, SEM
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.8 No.9,
August
22,
2017
ABSTRACT: Florogenesis is one of the most complicated and
interesting processes in the nature. This process involves developmental,
physiological and molecular events leading to transformation from vegetative to
reproductive phase for optimal seed production and the continuation of species.
The basic knowledge about flowering processes, male and female sexual systems
support basic and applied research and breeding programs. Most of the onion
varieties from India are short day varieties, more diverse than other exotic
germplasm and useful as a source of new alleles for supporting breeding
programs. The present investigation was focused to study for the first time
florogenesis process by scanning electron study for the first time florogenesis
process by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and development of female
gametophytes by light microscopy in order to acquire basic knowledge useful for
optimizing in vitro process to produce gynogenic haploid to support and speed breeding program in
short-day onion Allium cepa L. cv. Krishnapuram (KP) or Bangalore Rose. This study revealed that shoot
primordium differentiated into inflorescence meristem in the month of December,
while seeds were planted in the field in the September. The individual florets
are preceded by a variying number of floral initials. The female gametophyte
developed from chalazal side megaspore. The embryo sac development is a
bisporic Allium type showing short-lived antipodals. The histological study suggests that the
use of big or preanthesis flower buds with embryo sac for production of
gynogenic haploids to support breeding program in onion cv. Krishnapuram (KP).
However further studies are needed for confirmation of this observation.