LIPIDS IN THE STIGMATIC SECRETION OF DATUR STRAMONIUM L (SOLANACEAE)

Document Type : Regular Paper

Authors

Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, I. R. of Iran

Abstract

The chemical nature of secretion by the stigma and transmitting tissue in Datura stramonium
was studied by light microscopy using Sudan black B, Coomasie brilliant blue (CBB), Toluidine blue,
Safranin, and PAS. The stigmatic secretion reacted positively for lipids. During development, stigmatic
cells became separated and intracellular lipids were transferred to intercellular spaces where they
gradually migrated to the stigma surface. Excretion of the lipids was a continuous process and persisted
during maturity and even in pollinated and opened flowers (post-pollinated). Lipid secretion was
associated with cell autolysis in papillae and in secretory cells of the stigma, particularly in superficially
located ones. The transmitting tissue cells also showed glandular activity with the release of a
polysaccharide rich substance. The pollen germination and pollen tube growth seem to be closely
dependent upon these secretions in Datura stramonium. The different nature of the secretion of the
stigma (lipids) versus secretion of the transmitting tissue of the style (carbohydrates), supports the
hypothesis that the pollen tube metabolism changes from autotrophic to the heterotrophic upon entering
the transmitting tissue from the stigma surface.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Science
Volume 28, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
May and June 2004
Pages 19-31

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