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Structural, histochemical, and protein analysis of male reproductive development in willow

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Abstract

Information on the development of the male reproductive structures in willow will help advance our understanding of its reproductive behavior and contribute to our ability to work towards its improvement. Willow also offers the opportunity to study male sterility, a subject matter which is not typically dealt with in woody plants. As compared to the three willow species examined (Salix eriocephala, S. exigua, and S. purpurea), pollen development in S. discolor ‘S365’ showed several abnormalities starting with the delay in meiosis. This lasted for about 10 days and meiosis eventually occurred as manifested by the formation of microspores. However, most of the resulting microspores collapsed, while only a few developed into pollen grains. The large number of undeveloped and disintegrated microspores appeared to make the few pollen grains sticky, preventing them from being dispersed. Histochemical analysis showed that meiosis in most species of willow was associated with the presence of large amounts of insoluble polysaccharides in the anther wall layers, but only very few of these were observed in S. discolor. Also, a 32-kDa protein which is the most abundant protein in the reproductive structures of willow, was absent in S. discolor ‘S365’. Proteomic analysis showed that this is similar to the storage proteins in Populus x canadensis and P. deltoides. Therefore, male sterility in S. discolor may be due to some genetic defects affecting the accumulation of essential reserves in its reproductive structures. The mechanism behind this is unknown, but this study has established the nature of sterility in S. discolor ‘S365’.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for this project was through the USDA McIntire Stennis Research Program. The assistance of Derek Smith, UVIC-Genome BC Proteomic Centre, in processing the protein sample for mass spectrometry is acknowledged.

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  1. Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 241 Illick Hall, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA

    Shiliang Zhang & Danilo D. Fernando

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  1. Shiliang Zhang
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  2. Danilo D. Fernando
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Zhang, S., Fernando, D.D. Structural, histochemical, and protein analysis of male reproductive development in willow. Sex Plant Reprod 18, 37–46 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00497-005-0249-9

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