The Stigma Reaction III

Withering of the Stigma by Pollination in Gramineous Plants

Abstract

1) Among various changes of gramineous stigma cells, caused by the attachment of a pollen grain, withering is one of the most conspicuous phenomena. The withering, beginning at the stigma cells to which a pollen grain is attached, gradually spreads to the neighbouring cells. Later the pollinated stigma filament withers entirely all over its length.
2) Pollen grains of the same anther show different behaviours when they fall on stigma cells. These different behaviours of the grains have an intimate relation to the beginning of withering of the stigma cells. In general, the withering begins first at the cells on which a grain bursts, then at the portion where a grain shrinks. Stigma cells on which pollen grains germinate and develop the pollen tubes wither latest.
3) The disappearance of the liquid, oozed out between the pollen and the stigma, has an intimate relation to the occurrence of withering. Some considerations were made on the withering phenomenon.