Observation of Upland Cotton Embryogenesis and Developmental Phases

Structural organization and morphology in the embryo developmental phases of Jinmian 13(Gossypium hirsutum L.)were observed systematically by light microscope and cryo-scanning electron microscope(Cryo-SEM). Our results indicated that:(1)the process of double fertilization in upland cotton was completed around 48 h post-anthesis;(2)cotton embryo development consists of several typical morphological development phases, including 2-cell embryos, 4-cell embryos, 8-16-cell embryos, globular embryo, heart-shaped embryo, torpedo embryo, cotyledon embryo and mature embryo;(3)elongated suspensor which was connected with the blastophore was observed by Cryo-SEM, demonstrating that the development of cotton embryo has obvious suspensor formation.