A CYTOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE GENUS POA L.

Abstract

The somatic chromosome numbers of 20 species of Poa were determined. The basic chromosome number for the genus was found to be seven. The species arranged themselves in a polyploid series from diploid to dodecaploid, tetraploids and hexaploids being the most numerous. Three aneuploid species possessed chromosome numbers suggestive of a nonaploid origin. Polymorphism was found to be present in P. compressa L., P. palustris L. and P. nemoralis L. All species examined conformed to the long chromosome type common to the subfamily, Pooideae. The spindle fibre attachment for the chromosomes in the various species ideograms was found to be regularly median or submedian.The chromosome variability and the mode of seed production were examined in Poa pratensis L., using selected, uniform strains, indigenous plants and plants grown from commercial seed. The somatic chromosome number was found to range from 50 to 87 ± 1, 10 of the 19 plants examined possessing aneuploid numbers. The selected strains possessed the same chromosome number for both plants examined, while in the other material the number was variable. A study of meiosis in the P.M.C. showed the selected strains to vary from regular behavior to an irregularity of 3.9 unpaired univalents per cell. All strains possessed large percentages of morphologically good pollen which germinated actively on the stigmas. Reduction was observed in the E.M.C. of the selected strains and a study of the course of embryological development showed no irregularities which might lead to aposporous reproduction. A high frequency of polyembryony was observed which was correlated to the degree of irregularity at meiosis. A theory is advanced to explain how constant aneuploid numbers may be maintained in sexually reproduced strains.