Cytological analysis for meiotic patterns in wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.)

•Chromosomal patterns during meiosis as a fundamental cell division study in wild rice.•Normal meiosis occurs in most cases but in some instances meiotic abnormalities.•Comprises bi-nucleoli in first meiotic stages alike the cultivated species of Oryza.•Emphatically addresses the questions of high adaptability of wild rice.

The present report explores the chromosomal patterns during meiosis as a fundamental cell division study in wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.). Cytological assays revealed normal meiosis in most cases but in some instances meiotic abnormalities such as weak desynapsis, univalent and quadrivalent formation, translocation, spindle abnormalities and precocious movement of chromosomes were noticed. Interestingly, this wild species also has the bi-nucleoli in first meiotic stages alike the cultivated species of Oryza (O. sativa). The present investigation emphatically addresses the questions of high adaptability of wild rice supported by high pollen fertility for their potential to strong fitness in nature.