Abstract: Special attention was paid to the ultrastructure of transfer cells (TCs) in different locations of basal endosperm in Coix lacryma-jobi at 10 and 25 days after pollination. At 10 days after pollination. TCs of the outermost layer had long wall ingrowths (WIs) whereas those of the second layer possessed fewer and shorter Wis. In both layers TCs had a lobed nucleus, abundant mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), ribosomes, and a certain number of dictyosomes and vesicles which contained dense substance connected with plasma membrane of WIs. Mitochondria were located near or between WIs. The distribution of organelles in TCs of the second layer was similar to that of the outermost layer. Mitochondria had well defined cristae and dictyosomes and RER seemed more numerous than in TCs of the outermost layer. At 25 days after pollination, TCs of the outermost and the second layer were almost filled with Wis but the organelles were recognizable. TCs of the fourth layer had branched and network-like WIs, many mitochondria, starch grain within plastids and lipids locating near WIs and in the interstices of WIs. Dictyosomes were frequently found but less RER fragments were seen. TCs of the fifth layer with short WIs contained large starch grains and small protein bodies. Plasmodesmata were not observed in the walls of TCs of the outermost and second layer at both 10 and 25 days after pollination but were found in the walls of TCs of the fourth and upper layers and also in the network-like WIs at 25 days after pollination. The roles of the organelles and functions of TCs of different layers were discussed.

Key words: Coix lacryma-jobi, Endosperm, Transfer cell, Ultrastructure