Meiosis in autotriploid Physalis pubescens L

Studies concerning the chromosome behaviour of autotriploids and aneuploids in Physalis L. are meagre. Autotriploids in this genus were obtained for the first time by crossing induced tetraploids of P. pubescens L. (2n=4x=48) with their diploid progenitors. Morphologically these were intermediate in size. At dia-kinesis trivalents, bivalents and univalents were encountered. The mean chiasma frequency was less than one and half times when compared to the corresponding diploids. Meiotic irregularities such as occurrence of non-orientation of uni-valents and bivalents at metaphase I, few laggards and unequal distribution of chromosomes at anaphase I etc. were observed. The plants were partly pollen and seed sterile.