Indirect selection criteria for isolation of induced polyploids in the Abelmoschus species hybrids

Three interspecific hybrids of Abelmoschus, viz., A. esculentus×A. tetraphyllus, A. esculentus×manihot and A. esculentus×A. manihot ssp. manihot, and their colchiploids were compared for stomatal length and frequency, frequency of stomatal chloroplasts and pollen diameter. Significant increase in stomatal length and frequency of stomatal chloroplasts and significant decrease in frequency of stomata per unit area were observed in polyploids as compared to the respective F1 hybrids with no overlapping. Frequency distribution for pollen diameter of the polyploids revealed a considerable overlapping though the differences were significant. Stomatal chloroplast count can be used as a reliable technique for identifying induced polyploids in Abelmoschus species.