🌱Authors found that during the onset of meiosis in rice anthers, the cellulose in pollen mother cell walls decreases while a polysaccharide called callose is deposited. But why is this shift important? (4/8)

🌾 In a rice mutant lacking proper callose accumulation (Osgsl5-3), the reduction of plasmodesmata was even greater, suggesting callose is critical for maintaining cell-to-cell connectivity during this key reproductive stage. (5/8)