SUMMARYThe process of anther opening was followed in different species by means of light and electron microscopical techniques, stereo microscopical observation inside living tissues and micromanipulation. From these data and a review of the mainly very old literature on this subject, the opening process is outlined. It consists of the following stages: (1) Expansion of the epidermis and endothecium cells and deposition of U-shaped wall thickenings inside the latter. (2) (4) and (5) clearly reflect the mechanical functions of the two latter tissues. The roles of the other anther tissues and the fllament during the earlier stages are discussed.

The aim of the present study has been to elucidate further the cytology of the glandular stigma of Nicotiana tabacum, the mechanism of the secretory process during stigma development and the biochemical composition of the exudate. The stigma consists of two distinct zones: a glandular zone formed by the papillae and 2–3 layers of cells (basal cells) immediately below them, and a non‐glandular region formed by vacuolated cells which are in continuity with the transmitting tissue. The stigmatic exudate is a complex mixture of different chemical compounds such as proteins, saccharides, fatty acids and phenols. The role of stigma secretion is discussed in relation to pollen activation, recognition and pollen tube growth.

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In a study of pollen development in Gasteria verrucosa, the changes in the spatial organization of microtubules were related to the processes of cell division, nuclear movement and cytomorphogenesis. Sections of polyethylene-glycol-embedded anthers of G. verrucosa were processed immunocytochemically to record the structure and succession of fluorescently labeled microtubular configurations. Using microspectrophotometric measurements the relative quantity of tubulin in microtubules per unit of cytoplasm was determined. Cell dimensions and nuclear positions were measured to relate changes in cell shape and nuclear movements to microtubular configurations. Microtubules were detected in the different cells during microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis. In microspore mother cells which are approximately isodiametric at interphase, microtubules were predominantly arranged in a criss-cross pattern. The microtubules probably function as a flexible cytoskeleton which sustains the integrity of the cytoplasm. Bundles of microtubules were observed in the microspores, in the generative cells and during nuclear division, where they functioned in establishing and maintaining cell and spindle shapes. Microtubules radiating from nuclear membranes appeared to fix the nucleus in position. In prophase of meiosis and after microspore mitosis, periods a high fluorescence intensity were distinguished indicating a variation in the quantity of microtubules.

SUMMARYThe development of the locule of Gasteria verrucosa (Mill.) H. Duval and Lilium hybrida cv. Enchantment, especially the border between the sporophyte and the gametophyte, is investigated by means of light and electron microscopy, histochemistry and micromanipulation and related to pollen dispersal. The pecto-cellulosic cell walls of both the middle layer and the tapetum and a part of the endothecium disappear, and the tapetum cells are covered with sporopollenincontaining tapetal membranes and orbicules. The cell contents of the tapetum turn into the hydrophobic pollenkitt. In the locule, similar changes are observed as the pecto-cellulosic and callose walls of the meiocytes disappear and the future pollen grains are covered with the sporopollenin-containing exine. Due to their non-wettability, these hydrophobic substances on both sides of the sporophyte-gametophyte surface are important in pollen dispersal.The transfer of pollenkitt from the tapetum to the locule appears to be due to capillary forces in the locule after tbe continuous expansion of the pollen, rather than to active flow or to direct attraction by the pollen grains.