DIFFERENTIATION OF EMBRYOIDS FROM DEVELOPING GERM CELLS IN ANTHER CULTURE OF TOBACCO

Abstract

Flower buds varying in stages of development were harvested from tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum). Microscopic observations of cultured germ cells revealed such4 morphological changes as follows: ellipsoidal, shrivelled pollen grains; germinated pollen grains; hypertrophied pollen grains with transparent cell walls and abundant starch grains; and pollen grains developing into yellowish, multicellular bodies which later give rise to embryoids. Embryoids can be differentiated from germ cells at the tetrad stage.