J Integr Plant Biol. ›› 1993, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (11): -.

• Research Articles •    

Confocal Microscopic Observations of Microfilaments in germinating Pollen of Hedychium coronarium

Xu Shi-xiong(S. Y. Zee)and Ye Xiu-lin   

Abstract: Changes in the microfilament (actin)organization in the germinating pollen of Hedychium coronarium Koenig were followed after TRITC-phalloidin staining without fixation. Changes in the pattern of organization of the microfilaments were visualized using eonfocal microscopy. In the hydrated pollen a reticulate network of microfilament can be observed. Before the pollen tube protrudes out from the germination pore numerous microfilaments begin to converge towards the aperture. After 10–30 mins of germination,pollen tube appears. In the pollen tube a new network of microfilament forms near the tip region. Between the pollen and the pollen tube tip region there are numerous linearly arranged microfilaments. About 1 hour after germination,the pollen tube has reached a length of about 300μm Inside the pollen, tube there are numerous longitudinally oriented microfilaments. The microfilament network in the pollen tube tip region does not change much. About 2 hours after germination,the pollen tube reaches about 1000μm in length. At this stage,the pattern of distribution of microfilament in the pollen tube is very similar to that seen at the earlier stages of development ,whereas the pattern is somewhat different in the pollen. Microfilaments in the central region of the pollen grain disappear but still a parietal network in the peripheral region. About 5 hours after germination,the microfilaments in the pollen tube become abnormally variable and produce branches. Some even change into spicules, sheets and thick bundles.

Key words: Hedychium coronarium, Pollen germination, Microfilament Pollen tube

Editorial Office, Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, Institute of Botany, CAS
No. 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
Tel: +86 10 6283 6133 Fax: +86 10 8259 2636 E-mail: jipb@ibcas.ac.cn
Copyright © 2022 by the Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Online ISSN: 1744-7909 Print ISSN: 1672-9072 CN: 11-5067/Q
备案号:京ICP备16067583号-22