Cytochemical and ultrastructural differences between intraspecific compatible and incompatible pollinations inRaphanus

Abstract

Examination of the behaviour of pollen on the style ofRaphanus, following compatible and incompatible intraspecific pollinations, has revealed the self-incompatibility system in this species to be composed of at least three stages. The first, on which no information has been obtained in this study, involves the germination of the grain. The second stage concerns the ability of the pollen tube to penetrate the cuticle of the stigmatic papilla. It is possible that cutinase is deficient in incompatible pollen tubes but, in most instances, the outer layers of the stigmatic wall are penetrated. The third stage involves the interaction of substances secreted by the pollen tube with products of the stigmatic cytoplasm. The interaction is swiftly followed by the deposition, in the stigma, of a layered callosic body. This is formed immediately under the point of penetration and takes about 6 h to develop fully. Development of the pollen tube ceases as the first layers of callose are laid down. It is possible that the substances in the pollen responsible for the initiation of the second two stages are held in the tapetally synthesized tryphine, thus accounting for the sporophytic control of pollen compatibility in this species. The mature stigma contains large numbers of crystalline protein bodies, but it is not known whether they play any role in the self-incompatibility system.