Histochemistry of RNA during pollen tube growth and early embryogenesis in eastern white pine
Pinus strobus trees were crossed with pollen of the same species and with pollen of two non-crossable five-needle pines. Ovules were collected and sectioned during various phases of pollen tube growth and early embryogenesis. RNA was then localized by two staining methods coupled with enzymatic extraction. A layer of cells in the nucellus accumulates RNA in association with the growing pollen tube. The prothallial cells which will lyse to form the corrosion cavity are more rich in RNA than the surrounding cells both before fertilization and in the proembryo stages. Nucleolar RNA increases throughout the prothallium after suspensor elongation. The embryonic apex stains more intensely than do the suspensors, and intraspecific embryos stain more intensely than embryos of inviable hybrids.