Aberrant microspore development in hybrids of maize x Tripsacum dactyloides

Cytogenetic investigations of meiosis in hybrids between maize and Tripsacum have been well documented; however, the inherent problem of male and female sterility has not been addressed either on a genetic or cytogenetic level. The purpose of this cytological study was to identify some of the probable causes of male sterility in maize x Tripsacum dactyloides hybrids. Disturbances in pollen development of maize x T. dactyloides hybrids, derived from both diploid (2n) and tetraploid (4n) Tripsacum sources, were commonly observed. Anomalies in the development of the microspore apparently occurred because of a failure of the chromosomes to congregate at the metaphase plate, development of a tripolar spindle, and failure of cytokinesis at the first and second meiotic divisions. Phenotypic features of abnormal microspore development were the maturation of large pollen grains, "Siamese" pollen grains, the occurrence of variable invaginations, and a nuclear budding-type behavior. These abnormalities were not observed in the 56-chromosome amphidiploid or the 38-chromosome backcross generations.