Development of the male and female gametophyte in Capsicum annuum L. var. California Wonder

The study of reproductive organs and their developmental stages during sporogenesis and gametogenesis is an important step for basic and applied sciences. In this order and to develop knowledge about Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae), flower buds in different developmental stages were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The bell pepper bisexual flowers have homoantherous stamens with tetrasporangiate anthers. The pattern of anther wall formation is basic type, while previously described as dicotyledonous type. Microspore mother cells meiosis has simultaneous cytokinesis and tetrads are tetrahedral. Two-celled mature pollen grains are tricolporate with scabrate ornamentation. The gynoecium is bicarpellate and epigynous, with hemianatropous, unitegmic and tenuinucellate ovules. After megaspore mother cell meiosis, cytokinesis is simultaneous. The chalazal megaspore of the linear tetrad functions as the functional megaspore. Embryo sac development is of monosporic Polygonum type and consists of seven cells. We give the first reproductive calendar for the species that allows prognostication of gametogenesis on the basis of sporophytic parameters related to reproductive organ development and floral bud form and size. Some of these developmental characteristics should be useful for comparative studies and investigation of phylogenetic relationships within Solanaceae family.