Study of morphological and anatomical traits of male flower, development stages of anther and pollen grain of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.)

Edible pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is an important species of Pistacia genus and Anacardiaceae family. The morphological and anatomical traits of the male flower، anther and the pollen grain developmental stages of pistachio were investigated by cytohistological methods. The results showed that the male flowers are in grappe inflorescence and have 4-7 stamens with large anthers، 2-3 sepals and 0-1 bracktes. Two sacks of each side (theca) of the anther are completely separated from each other and are deeply dehiscent in length at the connective area. The cytoplasm division، during the microspore mother cell meiosis، occurs simultaneousely. The attained tetrad is tetrahedral and the tapetum layer is glandular. The number of the layers of the middle layer is three or more. These are remarkably viable and at the end of the maturation، degenerate with tapetum or even at the time of anther dehiscence. The mechanical layer has fibrous ornamentation and the epidermis is settled on it. The pollen grains are circular with 3-5 germinative pores and are brochate in surface.