The Relation between Cytomixis and Variation of Chromosome Numbers in Pollen Mother ceils of Rye (Secale cereale L.)

Cytomixis is a spontaneous and normal process occurring through the formation of plasma channels between neighbouring pollen mother cells (PMCs). This phenomenon was observed in the PMCs of 2 variaties of Secale cereale which had been collected from Gausu and Shanxi Provinces. The process had led to the formation of up to 6.37% of PMCs with chromosome numbers deviating from the normal haploid number n=7. The abnormal PMCs contained chromosome numbers ranging from 5–9 in metaphase Ⅰ. Abnormal PMCs with decreased and increased chromosome numbers could be the result of cytomixis. The cytological consequences and the evolutionary significance of cytomixis are discussed.