Pollen tube growth through nucellus into embryo sac of Spinacia - an ultrastructural investigation

The micropylar parts of nucellus and embryo sac were studied in relation to pollen tube growth and its entrance into the embryo sac. The initially homogeneous walls of the cells of the conductive nucellar tissue disintegrate at the middle lamellae region. Pollen tubes pierce the nucellar cuticle and continue their growth into the nucellus intercellularly. Subsequently they can follow various pathways to reach the FA of the degenerated synergid. The penetration into this synergid, and the discharge of the tube contents are described and discussed