Observation on the Embryonic Development in Citrus after Cross Pollination

Embryonic development was studied in six cross combinations ofCitrus sinensis x C. tangerina, C. sinensis x C. reticulata, C. sinensis x (C. tangerina + C.reticulata), C. sinensis x Poncirus trifoliate, C.reticulata x C grandis and C. grandis xPoncirus trifoliate. The results showed that on the 30th day after pollination thezygote remained a single cell. On the 40th day, the zygote began to divide. On the50th day, zygotic embryo became globular-shaped while nucellar embryos had notinvaded the embryo sac. On the 55th day, a few nucellar embryos began to invadethe embryo sac. On the 60th day, the zygotic embryo became heart-shaped, and atthe same time, a large number of nucellar embryos invaded the embryo sac. On the80th day after pollination, the zygotic embryo was surrounded by nucellar embryosand it was not easy to distinguish these embryos. The cross combination affected thedevelopments of zygotic embryos, ovules and fruits, which were mainly determined bythe cross parents. As compared with interspecies crossing, the zygotic division ofintergenus crossing began later, the zygotic embryos developed slowlier and theinvading time of nucellar embryos was also delayed.