III. Histochemical characteristics of suspensor during embryo development in Brassica campestris Linn. var., Sarson.

The development of suspensor in Brassica campestris is of the "Onagrad type"; The suspensor growth was maximum between the globular and heart stage of embryo development. There after, the suspensor diminished and immediately after the torpedo stage, it degenerated several enzymes (e.g. acid-, alkaline-, adenosine triphosphatase, peroxidase, succinate dehydrogenase, cyotchrome oxidase) and general substances (ascorbic acid, polysaccharides, lipids) were localized in the suspensor during different phases of embryo growth. Between the globular and heartshaped stage, suspensor cells had strong reaction. An attempt is made to elucidate possible physiological functions in relation to specific enzyme localization. The possibility of suspensor having secretory function is also brought out. Present histochemical data indicated that suspensor was chiefly concerned with absorption and transport of metabolites from the surrounding tissue to the developing embryo.