Observation Study on Pollen Morphology of Chinese Pennisetum

[Objective] The aim was to study pollen morphology of Pennisetum native species.[Method] We carried out the observation by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope on six materials of pollen grains including three species and three transmogrifications from one variant of Pennisetum native species.[Result] The pollen grains were globose or subglobose.Germination aperture which located at distal side was singular and its circumambience was thickened.Pollen wall which had two layers was thin and easy to be crimpled.There were obvious differences between ektexine ornamentations as well as particle sizes.[Conclusion] The question of low seed-setting rate of Pennisetum native species had relations with the withered pollen morphology to some extent.The differences between pollen morphology as well as ektexine ornamentations accorded with the division of species and variants from Pennisetum.In addition,the relationship between pollen morphology and seed-setting rate provided references to introduce good grass seed and choose breeding parent materials of Pennisetum.

Observation and Comparison of Pollen Submicroscopic Morphology of Seven Mulberry(Morus alba Linn.) Cultivars

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the submicroscopic structure and morphological characteristics of mulberry pollen. [Method] Mulberry pollen of seven cultivars were treated by glutaraldehyde fixing, alcohol gradient dehydration, freeze-drying and metal plating to observe the size and surface ornamentation under the scanning electron microscope （SEM）. [Result] The pollen surface characteristics and ornamentation were clearly visible, indicating that this method is suitable for SEM observation of mulberry pollen; experimental mulberry pollen was nearly spher- ical, with two germination apertures and processes on aperture membrane; polar axis was 15.99-22.63 μm long, and equatorial axis was 14.98-20.78 μm long; the pollen volume of ＂Yu No.2＇ was the maximum, while that of ＂Jinxuan No.7＇ was the minimum; the surface of mulberry pollen showed smooth and tumor-like protuberance ornamentations, covered with different densities of particles. [Conclusion] Glutaralde- hyde fixative-alcohol gradient dehydration is an ideal method for morphological char- acteristics of mulberry pollen. This study may provide useful information for palynology identification of Morus plants or even species-level systematic classification.

Pollen Morphology and Ecological Significance of Nine Hygrophyte Species at Sevenstar Lake Area in the Bashang Area of Hebei Province

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics of pollen from nine hygrophyte species at Sevenstar Lake area in the Bashang Area （the southern edge of Inner Mongolian Plateau） of Hebei Province, as well as their ecological significance. MethodThe pollen morphology of nine hygrophyte species distributed at Seven Star Lake area was observed and studied by using an optical microscope, and morphological characteristics like size, shape, surface ornamentation were recorded. ResultsPollen grains were globose, subglobose prolate spheroidal; germination aperture had five types, namely, 3-groove, 6-groove, 3 （4）-groove, 3-colporate, 3 （4）-colporate; ektexine possessed four kinds of ornamentation： reticulate, striped, spiny, granular. Meanwhile, the environmental indication significance of these nine hygrophyte species was also discussed according to their habitats, origin and distribution. ConclusionThe study provides the basis of modern palynology for the study of ancient environment, ancient vegetation and paleoclimate.

Study on Pollen Morphology of Nine Major Crops in Bashang Plateau of Hebei Province

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the pollen morphology of nine major crops in Bashang Plateau of Hebei Province. [Method] By using an optical microscope, pollen morphology of nine major crops in Bashang Plateau of Hebei Province was observed and compared. [Result] Pollen grains were spherical, nearly spherical or prolate; pollen grains of Cucurbita pepo were the largest, and those of Brassica campestris were the smallest; P/E value of Vicia faba was the maximum of 1.77, and that of Avena chinsis was the minimum of 1.00; there were six types of germinal apertures, including single-aperture, scattered-aperture, 3-aperture, 3-groove, 3-colporate and 3-4-colporate; there were four types of exine ornamentation, including reticulate ornamentation, warty ornamentation, spinulose ornamentation and granular ornamentation. [Conclusion] This study not only provided standard maps and related information for the identification of crop pollens in different strata, but also provided modern palynological evidence for extracting information of synarthropic plants （cultivated crops mostly） in different strata, deducing the natural environment ancient human lived in, and understanding the relationship between human and environmental changes.

Pollen morphology of Rhododendron subgen. Tsutsusi and its systematic implications

Eighty-four pollen samples were obtained for 80 taxa, of which, 13 species and one variety are from sect. Brachycalyx Sweet, 58 species and two varieties from sect. Tsutsusi Sweet, and six species from subgen. Pentanthera （G. Don） Pojarkova, respectively. Pollen morphology of all samples was observed using LM and SEM. Pollen grains are revealed to be spheroidal and tetrahedral with tricolporate apertures. Pollen sizes of subgen. Tsutsusi （Sweet） Pojarkova range from 37.67 μm to 61.06μm, and the exine sculptures are more or less compactly granulated. Pollen sizes are significantly different between sect. Brachycalyx and sect. Tsutsusi of subgen. Tsutsusi. Rhododendron tashiroi Maxim. of sect. Tsusiopsis Sleumer shows a close affinity to sect. Brachycalyx. Pollen size and exine are consistent with general morphology in differentiating species in sect. Tsutsusi. Rhododendron huadingense B. Y. Ding ＆ Y. Y. Fang, once placed as a member of sect. Brachycalyx, should be considered as a species in subgen. Pentanthera.

Pollen Morphology of Artemisia L. and Its Systematic Significance

The pollen of 57 species representing 7 sections ofArtemisia was examined by light microscope and scanning microscope for the purpose to elucidate the systematic relationships of the genus. The examination indicates that the pollen grains present high concordance which is characterized by the globular or the approximate shape, 3-lobed circular from polar view while granular or ellipse sphere from tropical plate with tricolporate structure. The exine of pollen has an obvious double structure of inner and outer layers (including the tectum and columnar layers) where the outer is thicker than the inner and the sculpture of exine degenerates into small spinules easily distinguishable from other genera of the Compositae. Based on exine sculpture. the pollen grains ofArtemisia can be divided into two types: Myriantha type and Mongolica type, which possesses 4 subtypes according to the distribution forms of spinule: (1) Sacrorum subtype, (2) Oligocarpa subtype, (3) Lavandulaefolia subtype, (4) Anomale subtype.

Pollen morphology in Saxifraga(Saxifragaceae) from Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Arctic, and its taxonomic significance

Pollen morphology of eight species of Saxifraga, i.e.S, cespitosa, S. oppositifolia, S. cernua, S. nivalis, S. aizoides, S. rivularis, S. hieraciifolia, and S. hirculus, collected from Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Arctic was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen grains of Saxifraga species are subprolate or prolate, 3-colpate, 15.4-44.4 μm in the polar axis, 11.4 34.6 μm in the equatorial axis, and show a P/E ratio 1.19-1.40. On the basis of exine ornamentation, four pollen types, viz., the S. oppositifolia type （striate without scabrae on the muff）, S. cernua type （striate with scabrae on the muri）, S. nivalis type （microreticulate and operculum absent）, and S. cespitosa type （microechinate and operculum present）, were recognized. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the pollen morphological characters indicated that pollen morphology supports the infrageneric classification of the genus Saxifraga.

Classification of Chinese Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) Cultivars Supported by Pollen Morphology

To classify the Chinese wintersweet（Chimonanthus praecox） cultivars and to study their evolution based on pollen morphology.Pollens of 12 representative wintersweet cultivars were examined by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）.Q-cluster analysis was carried out based on the observation results.Results are as follows：（1） The pollen grains were 2lobed circular in polar view,elliptic in equatorial view.The pollen shapes were spheroidal or super-spheroidal by P/E（polar axis length/equatorial axis length） criteria.（2） According to pollen exine ornamentation,it was indicated that white wintersweet is most original.Yellow floral group could be classified into three subgroups：purple-hearted,halo-hearted and yellow-hearted type.Their evolutionary relationship was purple-hearted halo-hearted yellow-hearted.（3） Different wintersweet cultivars showed a different exine sculpture.Palynological analysis could be used in the classification of wintersweet cultivars.The result of cluster analysis indicated that the cultivars could be classified into three groups with a similarity coefficient of 0.41.Each group had similar pollen exine sculpture.It was found that the palynological classification coincided well with morphological classification.Our results support the suggestion that purple streaks or patches of inner-petals should be served as the first-order criteria in wintersweet classification.

Pollen morphology and trichome types of Betula spp. in the Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran

Pollen and trichome morphology of the genus Betula were evaluated from three main habitats in Iran using light and electron microscopy.Pollen types were identical and tri-porate;however,in terms of quantitative data,some differences were observed in exine(outside)wall thickness,length of polar axis and length of equatorial axis,possibly due to the environment.Pollen alone is insufficient to separate species of Iranian birch.Investigation of the trichome trait(small hairs or other outgrowths)revealed that birch species in Iran belong to:(1)Betula litwinowii Doluch.according to the low density of trichomes on the adaxial surface of the leaves and the lack of trichomes on the abaxial surface and many trichomes on the petioles;(2)Betula pendula Roth.due to the absence of trichomes on the adaxial surface and the low density of trichomes on the abaxial surface;and,(3)in the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of leaves and petioles,the trichomes had different types of pilose(long,soft hairs),and this strengthens the possibility of a different species or more likely a hybrid of B.pendula.

Pollen morphology of the genus Cornukaempferia (Zingiberaceae) in Thailand

Cornukaempferia is a recently described genus of Zingiberaceae which only occurs in Thailand as a rare genus with limited geographical distribution. Only three species have been described so far, including a recently described new species, C. larsenii. These three species are morphologically very similar and additional data on other biological aspects are useful for the elucidation of their relationship. Pollen morphology of all three species of genus Cornukaempferia has been studied by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains are monad, spherical, inaperturate. The exine sculpture is echinate with psilate between the spines for C. aurantiflora and C. longipetiolata, or echinate with regulate between the spines for C. larsenii. This observation helps support the taxonomic status of C. larsenii.

Pollen development and floral morphology of Populus pseudo-simonii

Pollen development and floral morphology of Populus pseudo-simonii were investigated by stain-squashing and anatomical techniques. It took approximately 16 days for the pollen to develop from pollen mother cells to mature pollen in the green-house. Meiosis of pollen mother cells was regularly applied and completed by a process of simultaneous cytokinesis. Pollen development was considerably asynchronous. The meiotic division was initiated at the bulgy middle position of the flower bud and proceeded towards the tip and base of the bud. The number and size of the nucleoli varied during pollen development and at most eight nucleoli formed in each daughter nucleus at the meiotic telophase, suggesting a paleopolyploid origin of the genus Populus. An association between floral morphology and pollen development was found and the ratio of width to length of flower buds or catkins presented an S-shaped curve related to pollen development as a function of time. The investigation on the pollen development and floral morphology ofP. pseudo-simonii is important for further cross breeding programs of the section Tacamahaca.

Pollen Morphology and Pollen Fertility Estimation of Three Medicinal Plant Species of <i>Hypericum</i>L. from Kaghan Valley, Northern Pakistan

Pollen morphology & pollen fertility estimation of three medicinal species belonging to genus Hypericum L. from flora of Kaghan valley, Northern Pakistan was investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy for the first time. The species are Hypericum elodeoides Choisy in, Hypericum oblongifolium Choisy, and Hypericum perforatum L. Pollen morphological characteristics with considerable variation are provided for these taxa. Among the studied taxa, the pollen grains were 3-4 colporate type and the largest pollen size was found in H. oblongifolium in polar view 23.0 μm and in equatorial view was 25.35 μm. The smallest pollen was of H. elodeoides in polar view which was 19.91 μm and in equatorial view was observed 12.53 μm in H. perforatum. The shape of the all pollen grain was circular to semi-angular in polar view, however in equatorial view the shape of the grains was oblate-spheroidal, in H. elodeoides, and H. oblongifolium while prolate in H. perforatum. Exine sculpturing was observed by scanning electron microscopy which showed foveolate sculpturing in H. elodeoides, reticulate in H. oblongifolium and scabrate in H. perforatum. Pollen fertility estimation ranged from 82.66% to 90.90% which shows that flora of selected species is well established.

Pollen Morphology of Tribes Gnaphalieae, Helenieae, Plucheeae and Senecioneae (Subfamily Asteroideae) of Compositae from Egypt

POLLEN morphology of twenty five species representing 12 genera of tribes Gnaphalieae, Helenieae, Plucheeae and Senecioneae (Asteroideae: Asteraceae) was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. The genera are Phagnalon, Filago, Gnaphalium, Helichrysum, Homognaphalium, Ifloga, Lasiopogon, Pseudognaphalium, Flaveria, Tagetes, Sphaeranthus and Senecio. Two pollen types were recognized viz. Senecio pollen type and Filago pollen type. Description of each type, a key to the investigated taxa as well as LM and SEM micrographs of pollen grains are provided.

Pollen morphology of selected tundra plants from the highArctic of Ny-lesund, Svalbard

Documenting morphological features of modem pollen is fundamental for the identification of fossil pollen, which will assist researchers to reconstruct the vegetation and climate of a particular geologic period. This paper presents the pollen morphol- ogy of 20 species of tundra plants from the high Arctic of Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, using light and scanning electron microscopy. The plants used in this study belong to 12 families： Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Cyperaceae, Ericaceae, Juncaceae, Papav- eraceae, Poaceae, Polygonaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae, and Scrophulariaceae. Pollen grain shapes included： spher- oidal, subprolate, and prolate. Variable apertural patterns ranged from 2-syncolpate, 3-colpate, 3-（-4）-colpate, 3-（-5）-colpate, 3-colporate, 5-poroid, ulcerate, ulcus to pantoporate. Exine ornamentations comprised psilate, striate-perforate, reticulate, mi- croechinate, microechinate-perforate, scabrate, granulate, and granulate-perforate. This study provided a useful reference for com- parative studies of fossil pollen and for the reconstruction of paleovegetation and paleoclimate in Svalbard region of Arctic.

Pollen morphology of some Tunisian species from genus of Trigonella L.

The pollen morphology of lbur species from the genus Trigonella L. （Fabaceae） distributed in Tunisia （T. foenum-graecum, T. maritima, T. stellata and T. monspeliaca） was studied with light and scanning electron microscope （SEM）. Results showed that the pollen morphology of these four species was not homogenous in relation to shape, dimensions and ornamentation. The pollen grains were 3-zonocolporate, radially symmetrical, isopolar, prolate to perprolate type （P/E = 1.45-2.09）. Medium in size, elliptical or rectangular-obtuse-convex in equatorial view and circular in polar view. Ectoapertures-colpi： long, medium width, with acute ends, endoapertures-pork large, circular to lolongate, protruding in mesocolpium. The rectum was reticulate to perforate reticulate with ± irregular pattern of muri, except for T. monspeliaca which ornamentation was relatively homogeneous with a loose network and psilate area. Ornamentation with lumina different in size was most clearly expressed in mesocolpium while the apocolpium and the area just along the apertures was psilate or with small scattered puncta. The exine thickness was 1.10-2.42 μtm.

Morphological and cytological assessments reveal pollen degradation causes pollen abortion in cotton cytoplasmic male sterility lines

Background Understanding the mechanism of male sterility is crucial for producing hybrid seeds and developing sterile germplasm resources.However,only a few cytoplasmic male sterility(CMS)lines of cotton have been produced due to several challenges,like inadequate variation of agronomic traits,incomplete sterility,weak resilience of restorer lines,and difficulty in combining strong dominance.Therefore,the morphological and cytological identification of CMS in cotton will facilitate hybrid breeding.Results Two F_(2) segregating populations of cotton were constructed from cytoplasmic male sterile lines(HaA and 01A,maternal)and restorer lines(HaR and 26R,paternal).Genetic analysis of these populations revealed a segregation ratio of 3:1 for fertile to sterile plants.Phenotypic analysis indicated no significant differences in traits of flower bud development between sterile and fertile plants.However,sterile plants exhibited smaller floral organs,shortened filament lengths,and anther atrophy on the flowering day in comparison with the fertile plants.When performed scanning electron microscopy(SEM),the two F_(2) populations revealed morphological variations in the anther epidermis.Cellular analysis showed no significant differences in pollen development before pollen maturation.Interestingly,between the pollen maturation and flowering stages,the tapetum layer of sterile plants degenerated prematurely,resulting in abnormal pollen grains and gradual pollen degradation.Conclusion The results of this study suggest that fertility-restoring genes are controlled by a single dominant gene.Sterile plants exhibit distinctive floral morphology,which is characterized by stamen atrophy and abnormal anthers.Pollen abortion occurs between pollen maturity and flowering,indicating that premature tapetum degradation may be the primary cause of pollen abortion.Overall,our study provides a theoretical basis for utilizing CMS in hybrid breeding and in-depth investigation of the dominant configuration of cotton hybrid combinations,mechanisms of sterility,and the role of sterile and restorer genes.

The morphological diversity of pollen in the genus Gossypium

Background Plant pollen has diverse morphological characteristics that can be consistently passed down from generation to generation.Information on pollen morphology is thus immensely important for plant classification and identification.In the genus Gossypium,however,in-depth research on pollen morphology is lacking,with only few reports on limited cotton species.To evaluate the diversity of pollen in Gossypium,we therefore conducted a comprehensive analysis of the pollen morphology of 33 cotton species and varieties using scanning electron microscopy.Results The 33 analyzed cotton samples exhibited common pollen morphological features,including spherical shapes,radial symmetry,echination,panporation,and operculation,while the pollen size,spine shape,spine density and length showed distinctive features.Pollen size varied significantly among species,with diameters ranging from62.43 μm in G.harknessii to 103.41 μm in G.barbadense.The exine had an echinate sculptural texture,and spines were mostly conical or sharply conical but occasionally rod-like.Spine density varied from 173 in G.incanum to 54 in G.gossypioides,while spine length ranged from 3.53 μm in G.herbaceum to 9.47 μm in G.barbadense.In addition,the 33cotton species and varieties were grouped at a genetic distance of 3.83 into three clusters.Cluster Ⅰ comprised five allotetraploid AD-genome cotton species,four D-genome species,and one K-genome species.Cluster Ⅱ included 13diploid species from A,B,D,E,and G genomes,whereas Cluster Ⅲ only consisted one E-genome species G.incanum.Conclusions Although pollen characteristics alone are not enough to resolve taxonomic and systematic relationships within the genus Gossypium,our results add to knowledge on palynomorphology and contribute to phenological information on these taxa.Our findings should aid future systematic and phylogenetic studies of the Gossypium genus.

Cytological Observation of Pollen Abortion of Lycium barbarum Haploids from Anther Culture

To reveal the sterility characteristics of Lycium barbarum haploids, cytological observations were made on the anthers of Ningqi No.1 and its haploids obtained from anther culture. The results showed that there were no significant differences in anther development between Ningqi No.1 and its haploids at the stage of pollen mother cell, and tetrads were formed successfully after the meiosis stage. The tetrads of Ningqi No.1 could release microspores. At the same time, the tapetal cells can provide nutrition for the development of the microspores, which eventually developed into mature pollen grains. Although the haploids could also release microspores at the tetrad stage, the tapetal cells degraded in advance, which made the released microspores unable to develop into mature pollen grains, resulting in pollen abortion of haploids.

不同美味猕猴桃花粉萌发活力及形态学研究

为探究猕猴桃花粉萌发活力和花粉萌发前后的形态变化,以15份美味猕猴桃花粉为样本,采用离体培养方法测定花粉的萌发活力,利用扫描电镜观察离体培养前后5份雌株花粉和10份雄株花粉的形态变化。结果表明:15份花粉样本萌发率差异较大,5份雌株花粉均不萌发;10份雄株花粉中8号花粉样本的萌发率最高,为79.27%;9号花粉样本的萌发率最低,仅为22.85%。15份花粉样本离体培养前后扫描电镜观察发现:极面观基本相同,均为三裂圆形;赤道面观有差异,5份雌株花粉离体培养前后花粉形态不发生改变,均为近球形,而10份雄株花粉在萌发前为超长球形或长球形,萌发后均为近球形,极轴长度略有变小、赤道轴长变大、极轴长度与赤道轴长度比值变小、萌发沟宽度增宽,但萌发后的雄株花粉样本间各项形态学指标值差异较小。

猕猴桃9个种41份种质花粉形态观察与分析

为了解猕猴桃属植物间的亲缘关系,以9个猕猴桃种41份种质的花粉为供试材料,采用扫描电镜结合ImageJ图像处理软件对花粉进行形态学观测,并根据花粉极轴长度(P)、赤道轴长度(E)、萌发沟长度、萌发沟宽度、极轴长度/赤道轴长度(P/E)和大小(P×E)指标对供试材料进行聚类分析。结果表明,供试花粉均为单粒花粉,均以单粒、等极和辐射对称形式存在。极轴长度范围在21.50~33.40μm之间,赤道轴长度范围在9.87~16.24μm之间,萌发沟长度范围在17.53~29.08μm之间,萌发沟脊宽度范围在0.47~2.03μm之间,花粉粒大小(极轴×赤道轴)范围在218.68~543.18μm^(2)之间,极轴长度/赤道轴长度范围为1.36~2.26,花粉形状为超长球形或长球形,萌发孔类型均为三孔沟,极面观为三裂圆形,均为N3P4C5型。外壁纹饰分为波纹状、颗粒状和疣状,占样品总数的比例分别为63.41%、19.51%和17.08%。在遗传距离为7.5时,供试材料可以分为3个类群;在遗传距离为1.5时,供试材料可以分为6个类群,其中,中华猕猴桃被分为了4类。在两个遗传距离时,四萼猕猴桃均单独分为一类。