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Pollen tube growth and early ovule development following self- and cross-pollination in Eucalyptus nitens

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posted on 2023-05-16, 14:31 authored by Pound, LM, Wallwork, MAB, Bradley PottsBradley Potts, Sedgley, M
Controlled self- and cross-pollinations were conducted on flowers of five mature Eucalyptus nitens trees. Levels of self-sterility of the trees ranged from 25.8 to 93.6%. Pollen tube numbers in styles and ovule penetration by pollen tubes was investigated 2 weeks after pollination by fluorescence microscopy. There were no significant differences between treatments in the number of pollen tubes present in styles or in the percentage of ovules penetrated by pollen tubes. Embryology of material harvested 2 and 4 weeks after pollination was investigated by bright-field microscopy. Fertilisation had taken place by 2 weeks after pollination with nearly every ovule showing evidence of fertilisation. Cross-pollination resulted in a greater proportion of healthy, developing ovules, at both 2 and 4 weeks after pollination, compared with self-pollination. The proportion of degenerating ovules increased from 2 to 4 weeks after pollination. The reduced ability of E. nitens to set self-pollinated seed compared with cross-pollinated seed appears to be controlled by a post-zygotic mechanism. Differences in ovule size may potentially assist in the identification of trees incapable of setting self-pollinated seed.

History

Publication title

Sexual Plant Regulations

Volume

16

Pagination

59-69

ISSN

0934-0882

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Springer Verlag

Place of publication

Germany

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Hardwood plantations

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