Flower size and developmental stage of Allium cepa L. umbels

In onion, seven stages of umbel development were distinguished with regard to the size of umbels, flower buds and developmental stages of male and female gametophytes. At the beginning of blooming, the stage at which buds are most often collected for induction of gynogenesis, flower bud length ranged from 2.0 to 5.0 mm, and the stages from archesporial cell to mature embryo sac were observed in the ovules. Microspores and bicellular pollen grains were observed in the anthers. Flower bud size was not an accurate indicator of pollen development. Buds of the same size but originating from umbels at different developmental stages were characterized by different stages of pollen development.