Pollen-pistil interaction in the inter-specific crosses of Sesamum sp

• Published in: Euphytica 2006-12, Vol.152 (3), p.379-385
• Main Authors: GANESH RAM, S, SUNDARAVELPANDIAN, K, KUMAR, M, VINOD, K. K, KANNAN BAPU, J. R, RAVEENDRAN, T. S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Crop improvement; Disease resistance; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Heterosis. Floral biology applications: apomixy, male sterility, incompatibility, varia; Hybridization; Hybrids; Interspecific and intergeneric hybridization, introgressions; Male sterility; Plant breeding: fundamental aspects and methodology; Plant reproduction; Pollen; Pollination
• ISSN: 0014-2336; 1573-5060
• DOI: 10.1007/s10681-006-9225-1

The wild species of Sesamum have long been recognized as an important source of many valuable pest and disease resistance genes and other novel traits such as male sterility and plant type for the cultivated taxon. Utilization of these species in crop improvement is marginal because of their inherent low crossability with the cultigen. An understanding of the biological nature of incompatibility systems that impede hybridization offers tools for successful introgressions into cultivated sesame. The objective of this investigation was to observe pollen germination and pollen tube growth in cross pollinated S. indicum pistils as an indicator of pre-zygotic barriers operating in wide crosses involving S. indicum. Three wild species: S. alatum, S. radiatum and S. laciniatum were used as pollen donors in hybridization with S. indicum. In the cross S. indicum × S. alatum 85.23% of pollen grains germinated and pollen tubes reached ovaries within 8 h after pollination. In other two crosses, S. indicum × S. laciniatum and S. indicum × S. radiatum the level of incompatibility was high as evidenced by a reduced pollen germination and slow rate of pollen tube growth. Measures to circumvent incompatibility in these crosses to produce interspecific hybrids are discussed.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]