Microsporogenesis in a tetraploid plant of Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehner

Cytological investigations in a tetraploid plant of Coffea canephora with 2n =44 chromosomes were performed, In every meiosis phase studied, 92.0% of lhe pollen mother cells were found as 2n =44 chromosomes. In dia kinesis, lhe chromosomes were found as univalents, bivalents, trivalents and quadrivalents-At first metaphase, only 13.16% were 22II The average chromosomic associations were 3.61I, 15.21II, 0.71III, and 1.93IV- Irregular chromosomic distribution to the poles included 21-23, 20-24 and 19-25, while only 37.65% of the cells exhibited normal segregations of 22 chromosomes to each pole at first anaphase. At second anaphase, seven different types of chromatic distribution were found and only 26.0% of the cells showed regular segregation to the poles. After cytokinesis, triads (1.6%), tetrads (77.0%) and polyads (21.4%) were observed. Pollen viability was 21.0%. Observations made on transversal slices of the fruits showed 43.4% normal, 11.0% being of the "peaberry" type and 32.4% of the "flat" normal ones. Fruits without normal seed development were found in a percentage of 56.6, resulting in empty fruit locus.

Coffea; Coffea canephora tetraploid; microsporogenesis