Anatomical and cytochemical studies on the stigma and style in some legumes

Abstract

Anatomical and cytochemical details of the stigma and style of Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria juncea, Vigna radiata, and V. unguiculata were studied. The stigma in all the species is of the wet type, although the amount of stigmatic exudate varies. Both esterases and acid phosphatases are present on the stigma surface from an early stage of pistil development. The stigma is secretory. The stigmatic tissue extends a short distance into the style as a core of transmitting tissue. The style is hollow, bordered by one or a few layers of canal cells. In C. juncea, the cell wall of the canal cells is disrupted at places, particularly on the side facing the canal. In V. unguiculata, the inner tangential wall of the canal cells is thickened.