FLUOROCHROMES FOR DETECTION OF CALLOSE IN MEIOCYTES OF OLIVE (OLEA-EUROPAEA L.)

The callosic wall which covers microsporocyte mother cells during meio tic division has been studied using different fluorochromes as alterna tives to the widely used aniline blue. We have confirmed that both acr idine orange and 4', 6' diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) produce a fluo rescent response to callose which is comparable in specificity and int ensity to that of aniline blue; therefore, they can be used to study c allose wall formation. Staining properties of these fluorochromes, as well of those of curcumin and sirofluor, reported earlier as fluoresce nt stains for callose, are discussed. We also discuss the efficacy of the combined use of sirofluor and DAPI to study particular aspects of the deposition of callose.