Summary
Pollen of 4 Cucumis sativus genotypes and of the related species C. metuliferus and C. zeyheri 2x was irradiated with four doses of γ-rays: 1, 2, 4 and 5 kGy. Higher radiation doses were found to inhibit germination and pollen tube growth in vitro with C. sativus, the most sensitive species.
Irradiated pollen of cucumber never performed normal fertilization. However, after radiation with 1 kGy, cucumber pollen was able to occupy all available ovules, of which about 50% developed into empty seeds without embryo. This makes 1 kGy-irradiated maternal pollen less suitable to serve as mentor pollen in interspecific hybridizations. Doses of 2 kGy and more appeared to eliminate the ability to compete for ovules, while fruit set after a 2 kGy radiation was still high.
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Van Den Boom, J.M.A., Den Nijs, A.P.M. Effects of γ-radiation on vitality and competitive ability of Cucumis pollen. Euphytica 32, 677–684 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00042146
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00042146