Effects of virus infection on microsporogenesis and seed fertility in Capsicum

Abstract

A study of the effects of infection with mosaic and leaf roll viruses on microsporogenesis and seed fertility in three varieties of Capsicum annuum L. showed that the infected plants had the following features. (a) There were several abnormalities such as reduced chiasma frequency, formation of chromosome mosaic cells, binucleate cells and restitution nuclei, irregular anaphase separation and the presence of monads, dyads, micronuclei and linear tetrads; (b) Pollen fertility was considerably reduced; and (c) Seed setting was poor. The results are discussed in relation to the role of infection in plant evolution and the varity of virus transmission through seed.