The megasporogenesis, microsporogenesis and development of female and male gametophyte of Zingiber montanum (J.Koenig) Link ex A.Dietr

Zingiber montanum (J.Koenig) Link ex A.Dietr is a perennial herb of the ginger of family Zingiaceae. It has dark red conical inflorescence and is of great ornamental value. Its inflorescence axis is short and soft, and can be improved by hybridization. In addition, the phylogenetic relationship of Zingiaceae has been controversial. However, there is relatively little research on the reproductive biology of Z. montanum. In order to promote the smooth progress of cross breeding and provide new evidences for the phylogeny of Zingiaceae, this study observed the development of macrospore, microspore, female and male gametophyte of ginger by paraffin method, monolithic tablet method and semi-thin sectioning so as to explore the reproductive biological anatomic characteristics of Z. montanum and provide theoretical basis for the conservation of Z. montanum. The main results are as follows: ① Z. montanum has two anther chambers and the tapetum is of periplasmodial, the mode of anther wall formation is basic type. ② Cytokinesis of microsporocyte meiotic division is of successive type, tetradsarebilateral, linear and T-shape type, the mature pollen grains are two-celled. ③ The ovule is anatropous double integuments and crassinucellate. Embryo sac is of polygonum type. ④ The corresponding relationship between male and female gametophyte development was recorded, the maturity time of the two are synchronized, but microspore mother cells start meiosis earlier than macrospore mother cells. For the first time, we found that the tapetum type in the anther wall of Zingiber montanum is periplasmodial tapetum, which differs from the characteristics reported in other Zingiberaceae plants by previous researchers. The research results can provide a strong scientific basis for the breeding of Zingiaceae plants and their systematic classification.