Staining and Observing Pollen Tubes in the Style by Means of Fluorescence

摘要: Pollen tubes in the styles of tomato and other flowering plants can be observed by using following technic. Styles are fixed formalin-acetic-80% alcohol (1:1:8) cleared softened a strong (8 N) sodium hydroxide solution. Staining is accomplished 0.1% solution water-soluble aniline blue dye dissolved 0.1 N, K3PO4. The smeared or whole under conventional dissecting microscope direct illumination with ultraviolet light wavelength about 356 m°. Observations made darkened room. Under these conditions callose fluoresces bright yellow-green contrasts strongly bluish grayish fluorescence stylar tissue. pollen outlined lining irregularly spaced plugs.