Controls over pollination and ovule fertilization in Vicia faba

Summary

Variation in the frequencies of pollination and ovule fertilization was generated among faba bean (Vicia faba L.) genotypes in experiments which compared self-and open-pollination, natural and extended photoperiods, presence and absence of honey bees and a range of plant populations.

There was a near-1:1 relationship between the frequencies of pollination of stigmas and the fertilization of at least one ovule within the pistil. Pollination was the major barrier to fertilization of the pistil, and ovules, since no mechanism was evident in the style to prevent pistil fertilization. The frequency with which single ovules were fertilized in pollinated pistils fell as their distance from the stigma increased, and averaged 83.5% overall.

The frequency of pollination was most influenced by the level of autofertility possessed by the genotype, and the activity of pollinators. Provision of honey bees to plants in caged plots showed that high levels of pollination could be achieved under open-pollinated conditions, but this was also influenced by autofertility. Increasing plant population in the field had only a small effect on pollination, but extending photoperiod caused the levels and timing of self-pollination in three genotypes to vary.

Large differences were found among genotypes in their early stigma receptivity, that is, the frequency of stigmas found to be pollinated at the erect standard stage, prior to the flower opening and being visited by bees. The implications of early stigma receptivity for producing new cultivars were discussed.