| Abstract: | Tubular virus particles, 25 x 190 nm in length, reacting stronglyin gel diffusion tests and immunoelectron microscopy to tobaccorattle virus antiserum, were detected in pollen grains of aplant of Paeonia emodi. Relative to leaf cells, the pollen grainscontain virus in high concentration, particles being arrangedside by side in long crystalline arrays distributed randomlythroughout the cytoplasm. Presence of the virus is correlatedwith anomalous pollen development and degeneration of mitochondriaand other organelles. The observations are discussed in relationto male sterility and pollen dimorphism in this plant and itsfailure to respond in anther/pollen culture. Key words: Peony, Pollen, Viral Infection |
