Summary
Stamenless-2 (sl2/sl2) is a “temperature-sensitive” mutant of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) which exhibits altered stamen development under different temperatures (Sawhney 1983). By using scanning electron microscopy, this study was conducted to investigate the differentiation of surface features of mutant and normal stamens grown under different temperatures, with the view to further determine the role of temperature in gene expression in stamen development. Mutant stamens grown under intermediate temperatures (23 °C day/18 °C night) differed from the normal in hair production, the shape of epidermal cells and in the pattern of cuticular thickenings. Under low temperatures (18 °C day/15 °C night), all surface features of mutant stamens closely resembled the normal, whereas under high temperatures (28 °C day/23 °C night), the patterns and types of hairs, epidermal cells, stomata, and cuticular thickenings on mutant stamens were similar to that of a gynoecium. The staminal features of normal stamens were not affected by different temperatures. This study shows that the expression of the sl2/sl2 allele is influenced by temperature conditions to the extent that the pattern of cellular differentiation characteristic of either the stamens or the carpels can be induced in mutant stamens.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chandra Sekhar, K. N., Sawhney, V. K., 1984: A scanning electron microscopic study of the development and surface features of floral organs of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Can. J. Bot.62, 2403–2413.
Cheng, P. C., Greyson, R. I., Walden, D. B., 1979: Comparison of anther development in genic male-sterile (ms 10) and in male-fertile corn (Zea mays) from light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Can. J. Bot.57, 578–596.
Cutler, D. F., 1982: Cuticular sculpturing and habitat in certainAloe species (Liliaceae) from southern Africa. In: The Plant Cuticle (Cutler, D. F., Alvin, K. L., Price, C. E., eds.), pp. 425–444. New York: Academic Press.
Greyson, R. I., Walden, D. B., Cheng, P. C., 1980: LM, TEM and SEM observations of anther development in the genic male-sterile (ms 9) mutant of corn (Zea mays). Can. J. gen. Cytol.22, 153–166.
Juniper, B. I., Jeffree, C. E., 1983: Plant Surfaces. London: E. Arnold Publ.
Martin, J. T., Juniper, B. E., 1970: The Cuticle of Plants. New York: St. Martin's Press.
Postlethwait, J. H., Schniderman, H. A., 1973: Developmental genetics ofDrosophila imaginal discs. Ann. Rev. Genet.7, 381–433.
Sawhney, V. K., 1983: Temperature control of male-sterility in a tomato mutant. J. Hered.74, 51–54.
—,Greyson, R. I., 1973 a: Morphogenesis of the stamenless-2 mutant of tomato. I. Comparative description of the flowers and ontogeny of stamens in the normal and mutant plants. Amer. J. Bot.60, 514–523.
— —, 1973 b: Morphogenesis of the stamenless—2 mutant of tomato. II. Modifications of sex organs in the mutant and normal flowers by plant hormones. Can. J. Bot.51, 2473–2479.
— —, 1979: Interpretation of determination and canalization of stamen development in a tomato mutant. Can. J. Bot.57, 2471–2477.
Strickberger, M. W., 1976: Genetics (second edition). New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.
Suzuki, D. T., 1970: Temperature-sensitive mutations inDrosophila melanogaster. Science170, 695–706.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sawhney, V.K., Polowick, P.L. Temperature-induced modifications in the surface features of stamens of a tomato mutant: An SEM study. Protoplasma 131, 75–81 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01281688
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01281688