Abstract
Microsporogenesis and anther development in Iphigenia pallida Bak. were investigated using the cytochemical staining methods for the demonstration of insoluble polysaccharides, RNA, proteins and DNA. The insoluble polysaccharides and proteins are at low level in sporogenous tissue and PMCs. Both of them gradually increase in dyads, tetrads and microspores. Large number of starch grains appearing in the-vegetative cell of the young 2-celled pollen grain disintegrate and form densely PAS positive cytoplasm in the shedding pollen grain. A protein and PAS positive layer deposited internally around the PMCs at the beginning of meiosis, disappears prior to the separation of microspores from the tetrads. The cytoplasm of PMCs, dyads, tetrads, microspores and pollen grains is rich in RNA. The nucleus of the generative cell is more Feulgen positive than that of the vegetative cell. The tapetal cells have rich RNA and considerable concentration of proteins as well as polysaccharides. The fibrous endothecial thickenings are lignified.
