Figure 3.

CLSM of Brassica Anthers and Tapetum Cells of Different Developmental Stages after DPBA Staining for Flavonoids.

The left and middle columns show CLSM images of one anther lobe of developmental stages 3 to 7 taken with a bright-field or fluorescence setting. Each lobe contained microspores in the locule enclosed by the tapetum and several outer wall layers. At stages 3 to 4, the tapetum cells were intact and possessed most of the DPBA fluorescence (shown in green) in the lobe. At stage 5, the tapetum cells were fully mature, with a few already broken; the microspores began to show DPBA fluorescence. At stages 6 to 7, the tapetum had broken, and fluorescence was present on the microspores. The right column shows CLSM images of one tapetum cell of each developmental stage taken with a fluorescence setting. Fluorescence was present first in a subcellular network and then in spherical particles.