Oxygen tension as a control mechanism in pollen tube rupture.
The decrease in stylar pO(2) encountered by pollen as it approaches the ovary can induce bursting of pollen tube tips. Anaerobic conditions induced a high percentage of tube tip bursting in most pollen germinated in vitro. Changes in tube tip metabolism with decreased oxygen probably sets up cell wall stress resulting in pollen tube rupture.
Stanley
R G
RG
Linskens
H F
HF