Articles
Pollen germination and behavior in different lemon cultivars
Article number
1362_82
Pages
605 – 612
Language
English
Abstract
Characterizing pollen performance is especially relevant for some economically significant species of Citrus. However, little is known about self- or cross-incompatibility in lemon, which are very important traits for breeding in this Citrus species.
In this study, pollen-pistil interactions were characterized in five lemon cultivars (Fino 49, Verna 51, Fino 95, Eureka and Lisbon) in multiple experiments.
First, in vitro germination at five temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C) as well as a pollen viability analysis were carried out.
Then, to check self- or cross-compatibility and characterize the influence of the pistil genotype, self- and cross-pollination among the lemon cultivars was performed.
Although pollen viability was high in all of the cultivars, germination was strongly affected by temperature.
Very low germination was obtained at the lowest temperature (10°C), and pollen showed its maximum germination percentage at 25°C. These results were verified by the self- and cross-pollination experiments in the field, where the number of pollen grains germinating on the stigma increased with time from pollination.
Nine days after pollination, under field conditions, pollen tubes reached the base of the style in most combinations, except for self-pollinated Fino 95. Altogether, pollen tube growth in the style was faster after cross-pollination.
Pollen tubes inside the ovary were observed starting on the sixth day and reached their maximum length on the twelfth day in all of the treatments. Lisbon and Fino 95 had the highest number of pollen tubes in the ovary following self-pollination, while Fino 49×Fino 95, Fino 95×Fino 49, and Fino 49×Eureka were the cross-pollination treatments with the maximum number of pollen tubes in the ovary.
In this study, pollen-pistil interactions were characterized in five lemon cultivars (Fino 49, Verna 51, Fino 95, Eureka and Lisbon) in multiple experiments.
First, in vitro germination at five temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C) as well as a pollen viability analysis were carried out.
Then, to check self- or cross-compatibility and characterize the influence of the pistil genotype, self- and cross-pollination among the lemon cultivars was performed.
Although pollen viability was high in all of the cultivars, germination was strongly affected by temperature.
Very low germination was obtained at the lowest temperature (10°C), and pollen showed its maximum germination percentage at 25°C. These results were verified by the self- and cross-pollination experiments in the field, where the number of pollen grains germinating on the stigma increased with time from pollination.
Nine days after pollination, under field conditions, pollen tubes reached the base of the style in most combinations, except for self-pollinated Fino 95. Altogether, pollen tube growth in the style was faster after cross-pollination.
Pollen tubes inside the ovary were observed starting on the sixth day and reached their maximum length on the twelfth day in all of the treatments. Lisbon and Fino 95 had the highest number of pollen tubes in the ovary following self-pollination, while Fino 49×Fino 95, Fino 95×Fino 49, and Fino 49×Eureka were the cross-pollination treatments with the maximum number of pollen tubes in the ovary.
Authors
F. Córdoba López, M. Moreno Verdú, M. Rabadán Mínguez, C. Rodríguez Sánchez, M. Pérez-Jiménez, O. Pérez-Tornero
Keywords
Citrus limon, compatibility, ovary, pollen tube, pistil, temperature
Groups involved
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Division Ornamental Plants
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Postharvest and Quality Assurance
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
- Working Group Genetic Transformation and Gene Editing
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