Microscopic study of mature seed coats and aborted structures of interspecific cotton hybrids

C. Shimony, N. Sass, R. Yucha, Y. Saranga*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Seed coats and fibers of aborted structures (termed 'motes') and mature seeds from an interspecific hybrid (ISH) of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum x G. barbadense) were studied by microscopy to determine (a) the developmental stages at which motes of various sizes stop growing and (b) the origin of lint-contaminating fragments. Small motes (1-2 mm wide, up to 3 mm long) were identified as ovules whose growth had been arrested before anthesis or soon afterwards, medium-size motes (1-3 mm wide, 3-5 mm long) as those whose growth had been arrested up to 10 days post-anthesis, and large motes (3-5 mm wide, 5-8 mm long) as those which had stopped growing about 20 days post-anthesis. Microscopic examination of lint-contaminating fragments showed that they derive mainly from medium-size motes and partly from mature seed coats. Reducing the number of medium-size motes by breeding can, therefore, improve the lint quality of ISHs of cotton.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16-21
Number of pages6
JournalBotanica Acta
Volume111
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1998

Keywords

  • Cotton
  • Fiber
  • Gossypium spp.
  • Interspecific hybrid
  • Lint quality
  • Mote
  • Seed

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