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Structural correlates of imbibitional injury in Typha pollen
F D Sack1, A C Leopold, F A Hoekstra
1Department of Botany, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1293.
American Journal of Botany
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Imbibitional chilling damages Typha latifolia pollen by causing widespread cellular disruption, affecting membranes and organelles. This structural damage correlates with reduced germination rates in pollen.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Cell Biology
- Pollen Ultrastructure
Background:
- Pollen viability is crucial for plant reproduction.
- Imbibitional chilling can negatively impact pollen germination.
- Understanding pollen structural changes under stress is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural changes in Typha latifolia pollen subjected to imbibitional chilling.
- To identify specific cellular lesions associated with chilling injury.
- To correlate structural damage with pollen viability.
Main Methods:
- Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine pollen ultrastructure.
- Pollen samples were analyzed at varying moisture contents and incubation temperatures.
- Structural integrity of cellular components was assessed.
Main Results:
- Damaged pollen exhibited increased vesicles and decreased cytoplasm.
- Key ultrastructural changes included dilated endoplasmic reticulum, enlarged starch and lipid bodies, and compromised mitochondria and membranes.
- A distinct damage syndrome was observed, correlating with ungerminated pollen percentages.
- Structural injury from rapid imbibition and chilling appeared similar.
Conclusions:
- Imbibitional chilling induces a generalized disruption of pollen membranes and cellular components.
- The observed structural damage syndrome is a reliable indicator of pollen injury.
- Typha latifolia pollen exhibits similar stress responses to imbibition from a dry state and to imbibitional chilling.