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The relationship of the female reproductive success of Eucalyptus globulus to the endogenous properties of the flower

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Abstract

Low capsule and seed set is a major factor limiting seed production in Eucalyptus globulus seed orchards. Controlled pollination studies showed that the reproductive success (number of seeds produced per flower pollinated) was primarily determined by the female. We aimed to identify the factors contributing to the differences in reproductive success between female genotypes in terms of the physical and anatomical properties of the flower. We studied pairs of genotypes of high and low reproductive success from each of three races (Furneaux Group, Strzelecki Ranges and Western Otways) growing in a seed orchard. Controlled pollinations were performed on six females and along with flower physical measurements, pollen tube growth and seed set were assessed. Overall tree reproductive success was positively correlated with flower size, ovule numbers, style size, cross-sectional area of conductive tissue within the style (all of which were inter-correlated) and the proportion of pollen tubes reaching the bottom of the style. Significant positive correlations of reproductive success and flower physical properties between different ramets of the same genotypes across seasons suggests a genetic basis to the variation observed. The majority of pollen tube attrition occurred within the first millimetre of the cut style and appeared to be associated with differences in style physiology. When examined as pairs within races the difference in reproductive success for the Western Otways pair was simply explained by differences in flower size and the number of ovules per flower. Physical features did not differ significantly for the Strzelecki Ranges pair, but the proportion of pollen tubes reaching the bottom of the style was lower in the less reproductively successful genotype, suggesting an endogenous physiological constraint to pollen tube growth. The difference in reproductive success between the females from the Furneaux Group was associated with a combination of these factors.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by seedEnergy Pty Ltd and an Australian postgraduate award to S. Suitor. The 2004/2005 crossing was supplied by the Australian Research Council Grant (No. LP0455522). We thank Marion McGowen, Paul Tilyard, Cameron Spurr and Angela Geard for their assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, School of Agricultural Science, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 54, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia

    Shaun Suitor, B. M. Potts, P. H. Brown, A. J. Gracie & P. L. Gore

  2. School of Plant Science and Cooperative Research Centre for Forestry, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia

    B. M. Potts

  3. SeedEnergy Pty Ltd, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia

    P. L. Gore

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  1. Shaun Suitor
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  2. B. M. Potts
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  3. P. H. Brown
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  4. A. J. Gracie
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  5. P. L. Gore
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Correspondence to Shaun Suitor.

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Communicated by Andrew Stephenson.

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Suitor, S., Potts, B.M., Brown, P.H. et al. The relationship of the female reproductive success of Eucalyptus globulus to the endogenous properties of the flower. Sex Plant Reprod 22, 37–44 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00497-008-0089-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00497-008-0089-5

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