Role of Ubisch bodies secreted by tapetum in Ca2+ transprot

The distribution of Ca2+ in the anthers of wheat was observed using cytoche mical method of potassium antimonite. At the later tetrad stage, Ubisch bod ies carrying Ca2+ were observed on the inner surface of tapetum, in anther locule and on pollen surface. The Ubisch bodies contacted with pollen, and Ca2+ began lo accumulate on pollen surface. At the uninucleate pollen stage , abundant Ubisch bodies were distributed in anther locule, and the amount of Ca2+ on pollen surface increased. At the mature pollen stage a large amo unt of Ca2+ ions were localized on the inner surface of tapetum, the surfac e of pollen and Ubisch bodies. In the pollen wall, Ca2+ precipitates arrang ed in radial lines. These results demonstrated that Ubisch bodies were invo lved in Ca2+ transport from anther wall to pollen surface at some developme ntal stages of anther.