Figure 4

Effects of silver nitrate (AgNO ₃ ) solution on female plant. (A-C) are the pictures of female flowers after spraying of AgNO₃ solution showing gradual enhanced stamen growth. Magnified view of stamens in (D) pistillate flowers of AgNO₃ treated female plant and (E) hermaphrodite (GyM-H) flowers of gynomonoecious (GyM) plants. Scanning electron micrographs of top view of (F) pistillate flowers from AgNO₃ treated female plant and (G) hermaphrodite (GyM–H) flowers of gynomonoecious (GyM) plants. Petals and sepals have been removed to better view sexual structures. Longitudinal sections (H-K) of flower buds of silver nitrate treated female plant (after spraying of 35 mM silver nitrate solution). H, I – flower buds of stage 5, J – flower bud of stage 8 and K – flower bud of stage 10. p: Petals, s: sepals, c: carpels, st: stamens, o: ovary. Scale bars are 300 μm in F, 1 mm in G, H and I, and 2 mm in J and K.