Range of Hevea brasiliensis pollen dispersal estimated by esterase isozyme markers

Abstract

A study was carried out to estimate the distance Hevea brasiliensis pollen could be dispersed under natural conditions. Seeds were collected at varying distances from the boundary between two adjacent fields that were each planted with a pure stand of a genetic clone. Esterase isozyme markers were used to determine if the seeds had been derived from self- or cross-pollination. The incidence of cross-pollination was then examined in relation to the distance from the inter-clonal boundary. A logarithmic model gave the best fit (r2 = 0.864) and suggested that pollen could travel distances in the order of 0.3 to 1.1 km.