Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Pollen germination and pollen tube growth following self-pollination and intra- and interspecific pollination of Medicago species

  • Published:
Euphytica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Pollen germination and pollen tube growth after self- and intra- and interspecific pollinations of annual [M. scutellata (L.) Mill., M. disciformis DC., and M. rigidula (L.) All.] and perennial (M. sativa L.) Medicago species were studied using a Carl Zeiss microscope with a fluorescence filter attachment.

Self-pollination of self-fertile annual and intraspecific pollination of cross-fertile perennials were characterized by high pollen germination and rapid normal pollen tube growth. In contrast pollen germination percentages were very low and many pollen tube growth abnormalities occurred following interspecific pollination and self-pollination of self-sterile plants. The time period from pollination to fertilization for interspecific crosses was about double that following self-pollination of the annual species. However, fertilization occurred frequently following interspecific pollinations. Much of the sterility was due to factor(s) operating after fertilization.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arens, K., 1949. Provo de calose por meio da microscopia a luz fluorescente e applicacoes do metodo. Lilloa 18: 71–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, D. K. & R. W. Cleveland, 1963a. Pollen tube growth of diploid alfalfa in vitro. Crop Sci. 3: 291–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, D. K. & R. W. Cleveland, 1963b. Genetic evidence of nonrandom fertilization in alfalfa as influenced by differential pollen tube growth. Crop Sci. 3: 295–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolton, J. L. & J. R. Fryer, 1937. Inter-plant variations in certain seed-seeding processes in alfalfa. Sci. Agr. 18: 148–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, D. C., R. A. Brink & H. R. Albrecht, 1937. Embryo mortality in relation to seed formation in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Amer. J. Bot. 24: 203–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, C. F. & A. M. Evans, 1973. Elucidating the behaviour of pollen tubes in intra- and interspecific pollinations of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and P. coccineus Lam. Euphytica 22: 378–385.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kho, Y. O. & J. Baer, 1971. Incompatibility problems in species crosses of tulips. Euphytica 20: 30–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linskens, H. F. & M. Kroh, 1967. Inkompatibilität der Phanerogamen. In: Encycl. of plant physiology 18: 506–530. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelburg, and New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, F. W., 1959. Staining and observing pollen tubes in the style by means of fluorescence. Stain Tech. 34: 125–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramanna, M. S. & M. C. A. Mutsaerts, 1971. Unusual behaviour of growing pollen tubes in the styles and ovules of Spinacia oleracea L. Euphytica 20: 145–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sangduen, N., E. L. Sorensen & G. H. Liang, 1982. A perennial x annual Medicago cross. Can. J. Genet. Cytol. 24: 361–365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sangduen, N., G. L. Kreitner & E. L. Sorensen, 1983. Light and electron microscopy of embryo development in an annual x perennial Medicago species cross. Can. J. Bot. 61: in press.

  • Sayers, E. R. & R. P. Murphy, 1966. Seed set in alfalfa as related to pollen tube growth, fertilization frequency and post fertilization ovule abortion. Crop Sci. 6: 365–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sedgley, M., 1979. Inter-varietal pollen tube growth and ovule penetration in the avocado. Euphytica 28: 25–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stott, K. G., 1972. Pollen germination and pollen tube characteristics in a range of apple cultivars. J. Hort. Sci. 47: 191–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomer, E. & M. Gottreich, 1975. Observations on the fertilization process in avocado with fluorescent light. Euphytica 24: 531–535.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Throckmorton Hall, 66506, Manhattan, Kansas, USA

    N. Sangduen & G. H. Liang

  2. USDA-ARS, Kansas State University, Throckmorton Hall, 66506, Manhattan, Kansas, USA

    E. L. Sorensen

Authors
  1. N. Sangduen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. L. Sorensen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. H. Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Cooperative investigations of the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Dept. of Agronomy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. Contribution No. 82-582-J- Mention of a trademark name or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and does not imply its approval over other products that also may be suitable.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sangduen, N., Sorensen, E.L. & Liang, G.H. Pollen germination and pollen tube growth following self-pollination and intra- and interspecific pollination of Medicago species. Euphytica 32, 527–534 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00021465

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00021465

Index words

Search

Navigation