Mechanism of Anther Dehiscence in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

This paper presents a new explanation of the mechanism of antherdehiscence in rice during the period from floret opening topollen dispersal. The theca dehisced on the stomium in the apicalpart and the anther wall in the basal part of the large locule.Comparison of the anther dehiscence process under various airhumidity conditions showed that the process, until the splittingat the apical and basal parts, was a moisture-requiring processwhereas the widening of the splits in both parts was a desiccatoryprocess. Observation of the anther transverse section, revealedthe marked development of the U-shaped thick cell wall in theendothecium adjacent to these two splits. From these observations,the anther dehiscence mechanism may be explained as follows.At the time of anthesis, pollen grains swell rapidly in responseto the floret opening and cause the theca to bulge, rupturingthe septum. The pollen pressure combined with the inward bendingof the locule walls adjacent to the stomium causes splittingof the stomium in the apical part of the theca. At the sametime, the septum rupture extends to the bottom of the largelocule supported by the pollen pressure. After these processes,the locule walls adjacent to both splits straighten probablydue to their water loss. This straightening widens the splitsand the swollen pollen grains overflow from the widened splits.Copyright1999 Annals of Botany Company Anther dehiscence, Oryza sativa L., pollen grain swelling, rice, septum, stomium, theca.