Correlation of bud and anther length
with microspore/pollen developmental stages
For each accession, 18–24 individual plants were used
in this study. From each individual, two flower buds
were collected, for a total of 36–48 flower buds
analyzed per genotype. Given the high heterogeneity
in sepal lengths and their lack of correlation with
flower development (Fig. 1), the calyx was not
considered as a reference for measurements. Instead,
buds were measured with a caliper, from pedicel
insertion to the end of the corolla, still closed in flower
buds. After determining the minimal and maximal bud
length for each genotype, intervals of 1 mm were
established in order to cover the whole range of bud
development. A minimum of three buds of each of the