Bud pollination and hybrid seed production in detergent-induced male sterile plants of Brassica juncea

Abstract

The efficacy of a synthetic detergent (Surf Excel) as a potential chemical hybridizing agent in Brassica juncea was studied. Foliar sprays with various concentrations of the detergent caused reductions in plant height, number of branches and leaves per plant, size of leaves, anther size, pollen per flower, ovules per flower, pollen fertility, fruits per plant, fruit size, seeds per fruit, total yield per plant and 100 seed weight as compared with those of untreated plants. The style in the floral buds of plants sprayed with different concentrations of Surf Excel elongated and so the receptive stigma protruded from the buds which facilitated cross-pollination by honey bees. The plants sprayed once with 2% Surf Excel exhibited an elongated style with a raised receptive stigma and 100% pollen sterility without causing a significant reduction in total yield.