Inhibiting effects of myrmicacin on pollen growth and pollen tube mitosis

Germination of pollen from five species was inhibited by synthetic dl-myrmicacin (dl-β-hydroxydecanoic acid) but not by bromodeoxyuridine, actinomycin D, cycloheximide, or 2,4-D. Mitotic division of generative nucleus was also inhibited. Inhibition of germination was relieved by transfer to a medium lacking myrmicacin. Myrmicacin may be useful not only as a herbicide but also as a novel inhibitor for biological research.