Contribution to the Embryology, Sporoderm and Spermoderm Pattern of Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A. Camus, Capillipedium filiculme (Hook.F.) Stapf and Dichanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf with a Brief discussion on its Taxonomic Status

Embryological features in Bothriochloa pertusa, Capillipedium filiculme and Dichanthium annulatumhave been studied. The male reproductive characters are constant as evidenced by anther wall development and it corresponds to Monocot type. At maturity the pollen grains are 3-celled. Embryo sac development and embryogeny conforms to Polygonum type and Asterad type respectively. Endosperm, seed coat and pericarp have been studied and data on SEM investigation on pollen wall and seed coat of these taxa are added.

The three taxa viz., Bothriochloa, Capillipedium and Dichanthium were considered under Andropogoneae of Panicoideae as separate genera by Bor (1960). De Wet and Harlan (1970) merged them in Dichanthium. The evidences given by them are intergeneric hybridization and production of fertile hybrids between these three genera. Clayton (1977) also followed the concept of merger taking priority. The authors assessed the possibility of merger into Dichanthium on the basis of embryology, sporoderm and spermoderm pattern