[Cytochemical observation on the developing anthers of Allium cepa L]

Polysaccharides was detected using the periodic-acid-Schiff's (PAS) technique and lipid detected using Sudan black during the anther development of Allium cepa L. Before the meiosis of microspore mother cells there were a few lipid drops in endothecium cells and little polysaccharides in tapetal cells which did not differentiate completely in young anthers. At the stage of tetrad there were still few polysaccharides and lipid material in young anther, and only cell wall of anther wall and callose wall of tetrads displayed the feature of polysaccharids. The size of tapetal cells began to increase at this stage. During microspore development the tapetal cells reached its maximal size, and many lipid drops were accumulated in the cells. However, few lipid drops and starches appeared in microspores. At early stage of 2-celled pollen, the vegetative cell of 2-celled pollen began to accumulate starches. Tapetal cells degenerated at this stage and its lipid drops concentrated to form lipid block. Then the starches in 2-celled pollen disappeared with pollen development, and many lipid drops were accumulated in vegetative cell of nearly mature pollen.