SELF‐POLLEN REDUCES THE NUMBER OF CROSS‐POLLEN TUBES IN THE STYLES OF BRASSICA OLERACEA L.

Abstract

The number of cross‐pollen tubes in the styles of self‐incompatible kale plants was reduced by 46–94% when self‐pollen was applied to the stigma immediately before the cross‐pollen. Similar reductions were found when the cross‐pollen was applied at time intervals of 2–16 h after the self‐pollen, but little or no reduction occurred when the time interval was 24 h or 32 h. No reductions were found when cross‐pollen was applied before self‐pollen nor when dead cross‐pollen was applied before the live cross‐pollen. Application of onion pollen before cross‐pollen gave a mean reduction of 69%. The results are discussed in the context of current views on the mechanism of self‐incompatibility in Brassica, and their practical implications for the breeding of F1 hybrid brassicas. Copyright © 1977, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved