Stigma and stigmatoid tissue of Lycopersicon esculentum Mil.

The development and structure of the stigma and stigmatoid tissue of Lycopersicon esculentum were studied by means of electron and light microscopy. The stigma cell originate from several periclinal divisions of the epidermal and subepidermal cells of the top of the style. The stigmatoid tissue stems from divisions of the ventral epidermis cells of the carpels and fills the centre of the style. This tissue is the extension of the stigma cells. In ovular direction the stigmatoid tissue is divided into definite strands. During differentiation the cells of stigma and stigmatoid tissue change structurally, develop more ER and lomasomes. Ultimately the intercellular substances between the cells of the stigma en stigmatoid tissue contain mainly lipids, but also carbohydrates and proteins. The ER is suggested to be active in lipid production or a precursor of lipids probably emerges from the cells of the described tissue and forms (outside of them) intercellular substances. The fatty acids on the stigma surface are also present in the pollenkitt.