SPOROGENESIS, GAMETOGENESIS, AND PROGAMIC PHASE IN ALSTROEMERIA

The sexual reproduction biology of Alstroemeria was studied histologic ally. The processes of sporogenesis and gametogenesis were described i n relation to the development of the male and female organs. Comparati ve developmental stages in Alstroemeria take much longer than they do in tobacco. Alstroemeria has the monosporic Polygonum type of embryo s ac development. Bicellular pollen is formed, which after germination o n the receptive stigma immediately undergoes the mitotic division of t he generative cell, thus finalizing gametogenesis. Part of the progami c phase has been studied as well. As early as 12 h after pollination, some pollen tubes enter the micropyle of the ovules. This knowledge is important for the application of post-fertilization ovule culture to rescue abortive embryos during interspecific hybridization.