ABSTRACT

Cytogenetic study was done on melosis and pollen formation

in Solanum anguivi cultivar Umudike. Pollen mother cells were

harvested in the mornings between 8.00 am and 12.00 noon each

day and fixed overnight in Carno fluid (6:3:1),a concentration of

ethanol, chloroform and glacial acetic acid. The next morning, the

fixati ye was decanted and the anthers processed further for

microscopic studies. Result fromis study indpated high incidence

f cytological aberration characterizing hybrids, showing that S.

anguivi might have been of hybrid origin. The high degree of

chromosome pairing reported at early prophase in the plant indicate

that Solanum anguivi cultivar Umudike maybe ancient species which

has not only acclimatized with the envmnment but has also evolved

into a true botanical species. Pollen viability in Solanum anguivi

cultivar Umudike is severely reduced due to various abnormalities

witnessed during cell division leading to formation of bridges and

inversion loops. Results also showed that with better manure

treatment, that the plant could attain higher yield.