Palynology Of Six Species Of Solanum (Solanaceae)

This paper presents the palynology of six species of genus Solanum (family: Solanaceae) from Saudi Arabia. The species has been investigated by Light microscopy, Scanning and Transmission electron microscopy. Pollen grains are generally radialy symmetrical, isopolar tricolporates zono-aperturates, prolate, subprolate or spheroidal with tectate and columellate exine. Sexine echinates or punctuates. On the basis of amb axis, three distinct pollen types are recognized, viz.; Solanum sp.aff. anguivi (16-24 mu m) type-1, S. gracileps (20-26 mu m), S. incanum (21-26 mu m) and S. villosum (22-26 mu m) type -2 and S. nigrum (20-32 mu m) and S. carense (23-37 mu m)) type-3. On the basis of pollen shape class, four distinct pollen types are recognized, viz.; type -1, S. incanum (prolate), type-2 Solanum sp.aff. anguivi (prolate-subprolate), type-3, Solanum carense (subprolate) and type -4, S. villosum, S. nigrum and S. gracileps (prolate-spheroidal). On the basis of exine sculptures, five distinct pollen types are recognized, viz.; type-1, echinate-verrucate exine in S. villosum and S. nigrum, type-2, regulate pislate in S. incanum but type-3, S. gracileps is crenate, type-4 Solanum sp.aff. anguivi is regulate scabrates and type-5, Solanum carense is perforate echinates. From the results, the Solanaceae is considering of an europalynous family. The importance of exine sculpture in taxonomy is detailed underlined. The morphological and palynological results obtained above and other taxonomic differences can be used to enhance proper understanding of the species in particular and the genus Solanum in general. {[}Gamal M. A. Lashin Palynology of six species of Solanum (Solanaceae) Life Science Journal, 2011; 8(4): 687-697] (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com.