Figure 7.

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Wild-Type, lhs1, and Transgenic Spikelets.

Scanning electron microscopy of spikelets of wild-type ([A] to [G]), lhs ([H] to [O]), and transgenic line 2145-9 (P) rice.

(A) In outer whorls, glumes and palea and lemma primordia are formed. The central floral meristem starts initiating stamen primordia. .

(B) Six developing stamens are visible. One stamen primordium is developing late (arrowhead). Removal of the lemma reveals that lodicule primordia form at this stage (data not shown). .

(C) The carpel primordium is apparent. .

(D) A dissected spikelet in which palea and lemma were ripped off. A pair of lodicules is formed between stamens and a lemma. .

(E) In stamens, filaments and anthers are apparently differentiated. .

(F) The mature spikelet in which palea and lemma were ripped off. .

(G) The palea and lemma of a mature spikelet. .

(H) Glume and palea and lemma primordia are formed in outer whorls of a lhs spikelet. In the inner whorls, a new palea- and lemma-like structure is visible. .

(I) Palea- and lemma-like structures and a floral meristem are formed in the inner whorls of the lhs1 spikelet. The central meristem is differentiated to stamens and a carpel. .

(J) Top view of (I). .

(K) The lhs spikelet carries five stamens. Lodicules are formed at the base of the stamens. .

(L) The spikelet consists of leafy lodicules, three stamens, and two carpels. Palea, lemma, and right lodicule were removed. .

(M) The spikelet consists of leafy lodicules, two stamens, and a new flower. Palea and lemma were removed to reveal inner organs.

(N) A mature spikelet. Because of the leafy characteristic of the palea and lemma, the spikelet is open. .

(O) The spikelet exhibits successive formation of paleae and lemmas (arrowhead). .

(P) Early development of the spikelet from a plant of transgenic line 2145-9. The young spikelet consisted of successive leafy paleae and lemmas and floral primordia. .

c, carpel; fm, floral primordium; g, glume; l, lemma; lo, lodicule; p, palea; pl, palea- and lemma-like structure; s, stamen; t, trichome.