Meiosis readiness in Lilium

Abstract

It was observed in five cultivars and two hybrids of Lilium that premeiotic prophase is retarded in anthers approaching meiosis. The occurrence of premeiotic despiralization was related to the degree of retardation of premeiotic prophase. It is proposed that meiosis is initiated by stimuli arising outside the premeiotic cells. It is suggested that an accumulation of meiosis-inducing substances in the cytoplasm of the premeiotic cells causes prophase to slow down; when a critical level ("meiosis readiness") is reached, mitotic division is no longer possible and cells in premeiotic prophase despiralize to interphase.Key words: meiotic prophase, Lilium, meiotic readiness, premeiotic despiralization.