Cytology of the F 1 hybrid of Solanum zuccagnianum Dun. × S. melongena L.

A study on the breeding behaviour of a hitherto unstudied Solanum species, i.e. S. zuccagnianum with S. melongena, is reported. Meiosis in the F1 hybrid, S. zuccagnianum X S. melongena, although normal, was characterized by quadrivalent formation. It is suggested that this is due to segmental interchange and that this is one of the causes of the sterility observed in the hybrid. Cryptic structural differences were also observed by pachytene study.