3H-thymidyne incorporation into the microspores and pollen grains nuclei in excised Tradescantia stamens

Abstract

The development of microspores and pollen grains lasts in <i>Tradescantia bracteata in vivo</i> from the tetrad stage to pollen shedding about 14 days. This including 7 days of the microspore life cycle. In stamens excised and placed on a medium the microspores and pollen grains develop normally for at least 3 days. ³H-thymidine is added into medium culture. DNA synthesis m the microspore nucleus is demonstrated 6 days after tetrad formation so at the end of microspore interphase. During synthesis the nucleus lies at one end of the long axis of the vacuolated microspore. Synthesis ends before migration of the nucleus to the proximal pole of the microspore where mitosis begins. Incorporation of ³H-thymidine into the generative nucleus is noted in two-celled pollen grains as early as about 24h after the end of microspore division. During DNA synthesis the generative cell is rounded and is still adjacent to the pollen grain wall. DNA synthesis ends before separation of the generative cell from the sporoderm, before the generative nucleus starts to elongate. ³H-thymidine is not incorporated into the vegetative nucleus in stamens developing <i>in vitro</i>.