Male Sterility and Anther Wall Structure in Copper-deficient Plants

Anther development and pollen sterility were followed in plants of wheat, oat, barley, sweetcorn, sunflower, petunia and subterraneum clover grown at a range of copper supplies. Copper-deficient plants had increased pollen sterility. Lignified wall thickenings were reduced or absent in the endothecia of anthers from Cu-deficient plants. Reduced seed set may result both from reduced pollen fertility or failure of the stomia to rupture due to decreased lignification of anther walls.