Cell cycle arrest characterizes the transition from a bisexual floral bud to a unisexual flower in Phoenix dactylifera.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) is a dioecious species displaying strong dimorphism between pistillate and staminate flowers. The mechanisms involved in the development of unisexual flowers are as yet unknown.

Methods

This paper describes the results of inflorescence and flower development studies using different histological and molecular cytological approaches. Nuclear integrity and cell division patterns in reproductive organs were investigated through DAPI staining and in situ hybridization using a histone H4 gene probe.

Key results

The earliest sex-related difference in flower buds is observed at an otherwise 'bisexual' stage, at which the number of cells in the gynoecium of pistillate flowers is higher than in their staminate counterparts. In

SUBMITTER: Daher A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2908162 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature