Abstract:

Embryological characters during fertilization and the time course of the fertilization process in Capsicum annuum L. were described by means of routine paraffin-embedded sectioning technique and observed by microscopy. The results are as follows: The mature male gametophyte is 2-celled pollen grain, and the generative cell divides into two sperms in the pollen tube. Pollen tube destroys one synergid and releases two sperms which move to egg and secondary nucleus at the same time. Fusion of egg-sperm is slower than that of secondary nucleus-sperm. The development of the endosperm is of Cellular type. Pollen grains germinate on the stigma 2–4 h after pollination. 8–12 h after pollination, a pollen tube gets into the ovary locule. 12–20 h after pollination, pollen tube releases two sperms into one synergid. Fusion of male and female sexual cells takes place about 14–30 h after pollination. The division of primary endosperm nucleus takes place 18–40 h after pollination，and its dormancy stage lasts for 4–6 h. About 4 days after pollination, zygote begins dividing and its dormancy stage lasts for 3 days.

Key words: Capsicum annuum L., fertilization, time course of fertilization process