The Microsporangium

Abstract

Two treatises on the embryology of angiosperms by Karl Schnarf (1929, 1931) were followed by dassical works of P. Maheshwari (1950, 1963), and these stilI serve as excellent reference volumes. Davis (1966) brought out her book on systematic embryology. The above compilations, however, are restricted to the then available light microscopic data. During the last two decades significant electron microscopic observations were made on the reproductive biology in general and on gametophytes in particular, and have yie1ded valuable ultrastructural detaiIs on the changeover of the sporophytic-gametophytic phase. The anther and pol-1en have received adequate attention at the hand s of Prof. J. Heslop-Harrison and his school, who have discussed earlier notions, and suggested fundamental concepts. In this chapter microsporangium, an attempt has been made to interlink both light and electron microscope findings and present a coherent account on the structure and deve10pment of anther, microspore, and associated tissues. The histochemical and physiological aspects have also been considered.