Analysis of meiosis and non-random bivalent formation in desynaptic mutants of Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke

Meiotic behaviour of induced desynaptic mutants of Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke in general was described.The frequency distribution of bivalents in induced desynaptic mutants was compared with that expected on the basis of the binomial series. The deviation from the binomial distribution was tested as to its conformity with models based on intra-and intercellular differences in bivalent formation. It is suggested that in these desynaptic mutants of Pennisetum americanum bivalent formation is non-random, which is largely due to the result of intracellular differences in chromosome behaviour regarding their requirements for chiasma formation.