Development of the male generative sphere of Quercus ilex L. (Fagaceae) in the conditions of the Southern Coast of Crimea

   The results of the study of the genesis of anthers of Quercus ilex L. (Fagaceae) and the quality of its pollen grains, depending on the height of growth and the form of flowering, are presented. It has been established that differentiation of the cell layers of the anthers of Q. ilex begins in the 3^rd decade of July of the year preceding flowering. Sporogenic cells form in early October. Generative buds have been in that state for six months. The reactivation of growth processes and differentiation of the cell layers of microsporangium occurs in April. Transition of anthers Q. ilex of the early flowering form to microsporogenesis was observed in the 2^nd decade of April, and in the late form meiosis was noted in the 3^rd decade of April. Dusting in Q. ilex, depending on the form of flowering, was observed in the 1^st – 3^rd decades of May. The differentiation of the microsporangium wall of Q. ilex has a centrifugal type. The tapetum is secretory type. The wall of the formed anther consists of the epidermis, endothecium, middle layer and tapetum. In its mature state, it is formed from epidermal cells and endothecium with fibrous thickenings. Microsporogenesis in Q. ilex follows a simultaneous type with the formation of tetrades with tetrahedral decomposition of microspores. Mature pollen grains in Q. ilex are bicellular. In Q. ilex, with abnormal development of anthers, apoptosis of tapetal tissue cells does not occur, as a result of which the development of microspores was suspended, which led to sterility. It was revealed that the quality of pollen of Q. ilex depends on the height of the plant and the form of flowering. The largest proportion of morphologically normal pollen grains was observed in early flowering plants located at an altitude of 160 m a. s.l. (85−90 %). Abnormal and sterile pollen grains prevailed in plants growing at an altitude of 30 m a. s. l.

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