Articles
From clone to clone: the yield advantages of interclonal pollen transfer
Article number
1444_5
Pages
27 – 38
Language
English
Abstract
The interaction between clonality and reproductive biology is pivotal in horticulture.
Inbreeding depression resulting from pollination between clones can lead to increased homozygosity and the expression of deleterious alleles in closely related individuals.
Lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) are susceptible to inbreeding depression; however, evidence suggests that pollen movement between distantly located flowers on the same plant increases fruit set.
Our study explores the impact of pollen movement on fruit set and quality in highbush blueberry clones.
We examine the differences between fruit produced from pollen movement within a blueberry plant compared to pollen movement between plants of the same clonal cultivar.
This was achieved by comparing fruit production, quality, and ripening times after pollination within plants versus fruit production, quality, and ripening times after pollination between plants of the same varietal clone.
By comparing pollination outcomes within plants and between plants of the same varietal clone, we uncover intriguing discrepancies.
Despite the genetic similarity of different blueberry cultivars, our investigation unveils distinct variations in fruit attributes depending on the source of pollen.
Whether from within the plant or between plants of the same cultivar, pollen origins influence fruit production, quality, and ripening time, albeit with variability across blueberry cultivars.
These findings also suggest the role of somatic mutations in driving these differences between plant crosses.
However, this aspect requires further exploration for validation.
Against the backdrop of clonality’s intricacies, our study offers insights into the interplay between pollen movement and fruit production quality.
These insights carry implications for optimizing horticultural strategies and emphasize the importance of understanding the interplay between genetic inheritance and reproductive biology.
Inbreeding depression resulting from pollination between clones can lead to increased homozygosity and the expression of deleterious alleles in closely related individuals.
Lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) are susceptible to inbreeding depression; however, evidence suggests that pollen movement between distantly located flowers on the same plant increases fruit set.
Our study explores the impact of pollen movement on fruit set and quality in highbush blueberry clones.
We examine the differences between fruit produced from pollen movement within a blueberry plant compared to pollen movement between plants of the same clonal cultivar.
This was achieved by comparing fruit production, quality, and ripening times after pollination within plants versus fruit production, quality, and ripening times after pollination between plants of the same varietal clone.
By comparing pollination outcomes within plants and between plants of the same varietal clone, we uncover intriguing discrepancies.
Despite the genetic similarity of different blueberry cultivars, our investigation unveils distinct variations in fruit attributes depending on the source of pollen.
Whether from within the plant or between plants of the same cultivar, pollen origins influence fruit production, quality, and ripening time, albeit with variability across blueberry cultivars.
These findings also suggest the role of somatic mutations in driving these differences between plant crosses.
However, this aspect requires further exploration for validation.
Against the backdrop of clonality’s intricacies, our study offers insights into the interplay between pollen movement and fruit production quality.
These insights carry implications for optimizing horticultural strategies and emphasize the importance of understanding the interplay between genetic inheritance and reproductive biology.
Authors
K. Martin, B. Anderson, C. Minnaar, M. de Jager
Keywords
clonality, geitonogamous, pollen movement, blueberries, fruit quality
Groups involved
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Working Group Vaccinium Species and Management
- Working Group Rubus and Ribes Species and Management
- Working Group Kiwifruit Culture and Management
- Working Group Strawberry Culture and Management
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