Cytomixis in Lolium perenne

Cytomixis is a spontaneous process occurring through the formation of cytoplasmic bridges between adjacent pollen mother cells. This phenomenon was observed in the pollen mother cells of 3 genotypes of Lolium perenne which had been subjected to directional selection for productivity of green material. — The process has led to the formation of up to 34.8% of PMCs with chromosome numbers deviating from the normal diploid number 2n=14. The abnormal PMCs contained chromosome numbers ranging from 2–56 as observed at first metaphase. — Abnormal PMCs were also observed with approximately the same frequency in Meiosis II. This phenomenon is under genetic control. The evolutionary significance of cytomixis and the cytological consequences are discussed.