Electron Microscope Studies on Plastid Development in Variegated Leaves of <i>Liriope platyphylla</i> f. <i>variegata</i> hort

Abstract

The development of plastids in the albicate parts of variegated leaves of Liriope platyphylla f. variegata hort. was investigated and compared with that of the normal plastids, which made the subject of the previous study (Murakami 1962).The fine structure of the proplastid of albicate plastid in its earliest stage of development is similar to that of the normal part. During the course of the proplastid development, prolamellar bodies consisting of vesicular elements and primordial lamellae are formed.The arrangement of the vesicles, however, is less regular in the prolamellar body of albicate plastids as compared with that of the normal plastids.The lamellae were found to be formed by coalescence of the vesicles of the prolamellar body. The formation of lamellae in albicate plastids is, however, less abundant and ceases at a relatively early stage of development. This seems to arise from the irregular arrangement of the vesicles in prolamellar body.The author wishes to extend his heartful thanks to Ass. Prof. R. Ueda for his kind guidance throughout this work. Thanks are also due to Prof. K. Hayashi of Tokyo University of Education, and Prof. A. Takamiya of University of Tokyo for their interest and valuable suggestions.