Fine structure of abscission zones

Summary

The fine structure of the abscission zones of Lycopersicon esculentum and Nicotiana tabacum flower pedicels was studied, with special reference to structural changes in the walls of cells during the abscission process. The separation of cells appeared to be initiated primarily in the middle-lamella region of the cell walls. Disintegration of the primary wall, which usually followed breakdown of the middlelamella region, also occurred concurrently with the lysis of the middle-lamella region. During cell-wall degradation, the walls appeared to swell and became highly flexible. The walls of at least some cells in the zone of separation invaginated during the advanced stages of cell-wall disintegration, and ultimately collapsed. Cell-wall changes in abscising pedicels are almost identical to those which occur in abscising cotton and Coleus leaves, as described by Bornman (1967).