The role of the intine and cytoplasm in the activation and germination processes of Poaceae pollen grains

Abstract

Ultrastructural modifications of the intine and cytoplasm, during the maturation, activation and germination processes are described for several Poaceae pollen grains. Allergenic and antigenic proteins were found in the non apertural intine during the times of activation and germination, using TEM immunolabelling. This fact may be related to the function of the non apertural intine during the processes of pollen activation and pollen tube formation prior to fecundation. Changes in the granular particles of the cytoplasm are described and their role in pollen wall development is suggested. The pectic‐cellulosic and callosic layers of the pollen tube were formed on the degraded intine, and a relationship between pollen tube wall development and the substances expelled from the fibrillar particles was observed. The immunolabelling of the starch granules may be in agreement with their role in the allergenic process.