Abstract:Microsporogenesis and male gametophyte development of Torenia fournieri were investigated by techniques of paraffin sections and ultra-thin sections. Each flower of Torenia fournieri has four stamens, and each anther has four pollen sacs. The microsporocyte developed into tetrahedral or isobilateral tetrad through meiosis. The mature pollen grain of Torenia fournieri is 2-cell type with three germination apertures. The development of anther wall is dicotyledonous type, and the tapetum is glandular. Most processes of microsporocyte development are normal, however, the abnormal degradation of microspore cytoplasm is often observed at tetrad stage. It suggested that the abnormal meiosis of microspore mother cell might lead to pollen abortion, which may be one of the main reasons for the low setting rate of Torenia fournieri.
