Morphological and cytological observations on interspecific hybridization F_1 from Cucumis sativus × C. hystrix

A newly-made interspecific hybrid (F_1) (2n = 2x = 19, CH) from southern China cucumber (“Erzaozi”) (Cucumis sativus L., 2n = 14, CC) and C. hystrix (2n = 24, HH) mating was used in observation of its morphology, fertility and meiosis behaviors. The results indicated that no female flower was observed in the hybrids F_1, and the male flower could not open normally as well due to sterility. There were significant differences between this hybrid and the one previously obtained with different genotype. In pollen mother cells (PMCs) of the hybrids F_1, the majority of chromosome configuration was 17 univalents and 1 bivalent at Metaphse I (M I). The abnormal meiotic behaviors, e.g. chromosome lagging, spindle misorientation, were frequently observed, which led to the formation of multi-polar chromosome groups and highly sterility of the hybrid.