Summary
A procedure is outlined for the use of autoradiographs in determining the extent of pollentube penetration in the styles of tobacco flowers. The results were in close agreement with those obtained by direct observation. Radioactive pollen was obtained by transferring mature plants to nutrient culture containing radioactive phosphorus. At intervals after pollination styles were collected and exposed to X-ray film, the resulting autoradiographs showing the location of pollen-tube ends in relation to the length of the style. Normal flowers, in which fertilization occurs about 72 hr. after pollination, were compared with those in which genetically controlled sterility is effected by inhibition of pollen-tube development.
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References
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Ae-Rushdi, A.H. The use of radioactive phosphorus in determining pollen-tube penetration in tobacco. J Genet 54, 23–26 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02981698
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02981698