A number of factors influence the anther culture, among them, the developmental stage of microspores. The present study had the objective to verify the relationship among the developmental stage of microspores and a few morphological characteristics of the floral bud of the sweet pepper. Floral buds of the genotypes: Agronômico 8, line 004 and the hybrid PIX22C#31 x line 004, were divided into six classes of different sizes. Length and diameter of the floral bud and the length of their anthers were determined, besides observing the presence of the anthocianm and relationship between the size of sepals and petals. The developmental stage of micropores was analysed through the coloration with acetic carmin. Cytological analysis of each class showed that the non-vacuoled microspore, with central nucleus and diameter approximately 24,5 µm (suitable for use in anther culture), ocurred in every genotypes with petals of same size or a little bigger than the sepals and anthers with traces of anthocianin in their end.
microsporogenesis; sweet pepper; Capsicum annuum L.
