AN OVERVIEW OF POLLEN AND ANTHER WALL DEVELOPMENT IN Catalpa bignonioides WALTER (BIGNONIACEAE)

Abstract

Anther development in Catalpa bignonioides Walter was investigated from the sporogenous cell to the mature pollen grain stages to determine whether the pollen and anther wall development follows the basic scheme in angiosperms. In order to follow pollen ontogeny through successive stages of pollen development, anthers at different developmental stages were embedded in epon according to the usual method, and semi-thin sections, taken from the epon embedded anthers, were stained with toluidine blue for general histological observations under light microscopy. The young anther wall of C. bignonioides consists of four layers; from the exterior, the epidermis, endothecium, middle layer, and a secretory tapetum. The tapetum is dual in origin and dimorphic. Ubisch bodies were observed on the inner tangential walls of the tapetal cells. The number of the anther wall layers changes depending on the developmental stage and region of the anther. In contrast to the other anther wall layers , epidermis and endothecium layers remain intact until anthesis. Endothecial cells enlarge and develop thickenings at maturity. During microspore development , meiocytes undergo meiosis and simultaneous cytokinesis leading to the formation of permanent tetrahedral, isobilateral and rarely linear tetrads. Pollen tetrads are shed from the anther as compound pollen grains. Results of the study revealed that pollen and anther wall development in C. bignonioides follows the basic scheme in angiosperms.