Abstract: Exine deprived pollen only coated with intine has been isolated and artificially germinated in Brassica L. In view of the lack of exine and germ furrows, the de-exined pollen is an interesting experimental system for studying pollen germination. This report focuses on the microscopic and uhrastructural changes in the aspects of polarization, predetermination of the germination site and new wall synthesis during the course of isolation and germination of the de-exined pollen. It was shown that the de-exined pollen was already in an active state and had established its polarity and germination sites prior to exine detachment. The germination sites were still localized at the region of the previous germ furrows even after exine detachment. The new wall deposited at the germination sites appeared to have an important morphogenetic role in setting a limit to the size of pollen tube diameter. These results support our assumption that the de-exined pollen may have an extensive application in the research of pollen biology.

Key words: De-exined pollen, Pollen activation, Pollen germination, Brassica