scholarly journals Electrostatic Processes Underlying Natural and Mechanized Transfer of Pollen

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Law ◽  
Samuel Gan-Mor ◽  
Hazel Wetzstein ◽  
Dan Eisikowitch
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fields ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Pollen Deposition ◽  
Average Charge ◽  
Pollen Transfer ◽  
Transfer Vectors ◽  
Pollination Systems ◽  
Relaxation Characteristics

The project objective was to more fully understand how the motion of pollen grains may be controlled by electrostatic forces, and to develop a reliable mechanized pollination system based upon sound electrostatic and aerodynamic principles. Theoretical and experimental analyses and computer simulation methods which investigated electrostatic aspects of natural pollen transfer by insects found that: a) actively flying honeybees accumulate ~ 23 pC average charge (93 pC max.) which elevates their bodies to ~ 47 V likely by triboelectrification, inducing ~ 10 fC of opposite charge onto nearby pollen grains, and overcoming their typically 0.3-3.9 nN detachment force resulting in non-contact electrostatic pollen transfer across a 5 mm or greater air gap from anther-to-bee, thus providing a theoretical basis for earlier experimental observations and "buzz pollination" events; b) charge-relaxation characteristics measured for flower structural components (viz., 3 ns and 25 ns time constants, respectively, for the stigma-style vs. waxy petal surfaces) ensure them to be electrically appropriate targets for electrodeposition of charged pollen grains but not differing sufficiently to facilitate electrodynamic focusing onto the stigma; c) conventional electrostatic focusing beneficially concentrates pollen-deposition electric fields onto the pistill tip by 3-fold as compared to that onto underlying flower structures; and d) pollen viability is adequately maintained following exposure to particulate charging/management fields exceeding 2 MV/m. Laboratory- and field-scale processes/prototype machines for electrostatic application of pollen were successfully developed to dispense pollen in both a dry-powder phase and in a liquid-carried phase utilizing corona, triboelectric, and induction particulate-charging methods; pollen-charge levels attained (~ 1-10 mC/kg) provide pollen-deposition forces 10-, 77-, and 100-fold greater than gravity, respectively, for such charged pollen grains subjected to a 1 kV/cm electric field. Lab and field evaluations have documented charged vs. ukncharged pollen deposition to be significantly (a = 0.01-0.05) increased by 3.9-5.6 times. Orchard trials showed initial fruit set on branches individually treated with electrostatically applied pollen to typically increase up to ~ 2-fold vs. uncharged pollen applications; however, whole-tree applications have not significantly shown similar levels of benefit and corrective measures continue. Project results thus contribute important basic knowledge and applied electrostatics technology which will provide agriculture with alternative/supplemental mechanized pollination systems as tranditional pollen-transfer vectors are further endangered by natural and man-fade factors.

scholarly journals Secondary pollen presentation and foral traits of Heliconia psittacorum

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-458
Author(s):  
Talita Oliveira Nascimento ◽  
Patricia Campos Silva ◽  
Vivian Loges ◽  
Sandra Mariotto ◽  
Willian Krause ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Tube ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Pollen Deposition ◽  
Pollen Transfer ◽  
Stigma Receptivity ◽  
Secondary Pollen Presentation ◽  
Self Pollination ◽  
Pollen Presentation

The secondary presentation of pollen consists of a foral mechanism where the presentation of pollen occurs in other foral structures in addition to the anther, in order to increase the precision of the dispersion of the pollen by the vectors. This study aims to describe the temporal dynamics of secondary pollen presentation, and morphological and morphometric characteristics in stages of pre- anthesis and anthesis in genotypes of fve natural Heliconia psittacorum populations. For the study of foral morphometry traits of length of the fower, stamen, stigma and height of flament insertion in the petal in bud and fower were measured. The foral morphology of pre-anthesis buds and fowers in anthesis, the presence or absence of characteristics such as herkogamy, region of flament insertion in the petal, region of stylar hairs, and of secondary pollen deposition were evaluated. Treatments of controlled pollinations, self-pollination, geitonogamy, cross-pollination, natural pollination and growth to pollen tube were sampled. Floral herkogamy and pollen transfer to the adhered hairs in the stylar region were clearly observed during anthesis, constituting the frst record of occurrence of secondary pollen presentation in Heliconiaceae. Pollen tube growth was inhibited in the stigmatic, style and basal regions of the pistil. Natural fruiting produced little or no fruit. The positioning of the stamens above the stigma, pollen viability and stigma receptivity during anthesis of H. psittacorum fowers may favor self-pollination. The stylar hairs observed in all H. psittacorum populations’ help in the retention of pollen grains. The low fruiting rate in controlled and natural pollinations suggest that the main propagation form of H. psittacorum in the study areas is based on asexual reproduction.

scholarly journals Generalist birds outperform specialist sunbirds as pollinators of an African Aloe

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 20190349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Diller ◽  
Miguel Castañeda-Zárate ◽  
Steven D. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Pollen Transfer ◽  
Bird Pollination ◽  
Single Visit ◽  
Highly Effective ◽  
Aloe Ferox ◽  
Pollination Systems ◽  
Effective Pollinators

Bird pollination systems are dominated by specialist nectarivores, such as hummingbirds in the Americas and sunbirds in Africa. Opportunistic (generalist) avian nectarivores such as orioles, weavers and bulbuls have also been implicated as plant pollinators, but their effectiveness as agents of pollen transfer is poorly known. Here, we compare the single-visit effectiveness of specialist and opportunistic avian nectarivores as pollinators of Aloe ferox, a plant that relies almost exclusively on birds for seed production. We found that the number of pollen grains on stigmas of flowers receiving single visits by opportunistic avian nectarivores was approximately threefold greater than on those receiving single visits by specialist sunbirds and about twofold greater than on those that received single visits by honeybees. The number of pollen grains on stigmas of flowers visited by sunbirds was similar to that on stigmas of unvisited flowers. These results show that opportunistic birds are highly effective pollinators of A. ferox , supporting the idea that some plants are specialized for pollination by opportunistic birds.

Triploidy causes sexual infertility in Cyrtanthus breviflorus (Amaryllidaceae)

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Ramsey ◽  
Glenda Vaughton ◽  
Glendon D. Ascough ◽  
Steven D. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Clonal Plants ◽  
Pollen Deposition ◽  
Sexual And Asexual Reproduction ◽  
Challenging Question

The balance between sexual and asexual reproduction can vary markedly in clonal plants. At one extreme, plants are sexually infertile and reproduction is solely clonal. Infertility can be caused by environmental and/or genetic factors, but the role of each is often unknown. Here we determine variation in sexual reproduction and explore the underlying factors causing sexual infertility in Cyrtanthus breviflorus Harv. We examined open- and cross-pollinated fruit set, ploidy using flow cytometry, pollen viability, pollinator visits to flowers and pollen deposition onto stigmas. One population was sexually infertile; no plants produced fruit. Three populations were sexually fertile; >98% of plants produced fruit. Percent pollen viability differed between infertile (18%) and fertile (97%) populations. The most likely cause of infertility was unequal ploidy. Plants in the infertile population were triploid, whereas those in fertile populations were diploid. Pollination factors were not related to infertility. In infertile and fertile populations, pollen-collecting insects visited flowers frequently, depositing 4-fold more pollen grains onto stigmas than the number of ovules per flower. Our study is the first to demonstrate infertility and triploidy in C. breviflorus. How triploidy became established despite high levels of pollinator activity remains a challenging question.

Kochia (Kochia scoparia) Pollen Dispersion, Viability and Germination

Weed Science ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 548-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawit Mulugeta ◽  
Bruce D. Maxwell ◽  
Peter K. Fay ◽  
William E. Dyer
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Pollen Deposition ◽  
Kochia Scoparia ◽  
Tetrazolium Chloride ◽  
Pollen Dispersion ◽  
Prevailing Wind Direction ◽  
Fallow Field ◽  
Agar Media

Kochia pollen dispersion was measured during 24 and 48 h periods from a kochia population in an 8- by 10-m area in the center of a 1.6 ha fallow field. Pollen counts from traps at 50- and 100-cm heights declined rapidly with increasing distance from the pollen source. Pollen deposition was highest along the prevailing wind direction: up to 23 pollen grains cm–2were recovered 50 m from the pollen source along the southeast (SE) vector. Nonlinear regression analysis of pollen deposition along the SE vector was used to estimate that 99.9% of shed pollen would be deposited within 154.4 m of the source. Viability of pollen from greenhouse- and field-grown plants was measured using staining and germination assays. of four pollen stains tested, only 1,2,3-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride gave consistent results and did not stain heat-killed pollen. Depending on environmental conditions, kochia pollen remained viable from less than 1 d to 12 d. Length of kochia pollen viability was shortest under high temperatures (22 and 28 C) and low relative humidity (7 and 32%). Less than 0.5% germination was observed in 1.1% agar media with various additions; however, up to 17.8% germination was observed after incubation at 28 C in 100% relative humidity.

scholarly journals Corolla Abscission Triggered by Nectar Robbers Positively Affects Reproduction by Enhancing Self-Pollination in Symphytum officinale (Boraginaceae)

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 903
Author(s):  
Qin-Zheng Hou ◽  
Nurbiye Ehmet ◽  
Da-Wei Chen ◽  
Tai-Hong Wang ◽  
Yi-Fan Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Pollen Deposition ◽  
Nectar Robbing ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Symphytum Officinale ◽  
Self Pollination ◽  
Nectar Robbers ◽  
The Impact

Nectar robbers, which affect plant fitness (directly or indirectly) in different degrees and in different ways, potentially constitute a significant part of mutualistic relationships. While the negative effects of nectar robbing on plant reproductive success have been widely reported, the positive effects remain unknown. The target of our study was to evaluate the effects of nectar robbers on the reproductive success of Symphytum officinale (Boraginaceae). We observed the behavior, species and times of visitors in the field, and we assessed the effect of nectar robbers on corolla abscission rate and time. To test the fitness of corolla abscission, we detected the changes in stigma receptivity, pollen viability, pollen amount and appendage opening size along with the time of flower blossom. The flowering dynamics and floral structure were observed to reveal the mechanism of self-pollination. Finally, pollen deposition seed set rate and fruit set rate were determined to estimate the effect of nectar robbers on reproduction success. We observed 14 species of visitors and 2539 visits in 50 h of observation; 91.7% of them were nectar robbers. The pressure and nectar removal of nectar robbers significantly promoted corolla abscission during a period when pollen grains are viable and the stigma is receptive. In addition, corolla abscission significantly increased the pollen deposition and seed setting rate. Our results demonstrate that nectar robbing contributes to enhancing seed production and positively and indirectly impacts the reproductive success of S. officinale. This mechanism involved the movement of anthers and indirect participation by nectar robbers, which was rarely investigated. Considering the multiple consequences of nectar robbing, understanding the impact of nectar robbers on plant reproduction is essential to comprehend the evolutionary importance of relationships between plants and their visitors.

scholarly journals A sophisticated case of division of labour in the trimorphic stamens of the Cassia fistula (Leguminosae) flower

AoB Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriella da Silva Saab ◽  
Vidal de Freitas Mansano ◽  
Anselmo Nogueira ◽  
Isabele Carvalho Maia ◽  
Pedro Joaquim Bergamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Division Of Labour ◽  
Pollen Grain ◽  
Pollen Deposition ◽  
Cassia Fistula ◽  
Exclusion Experiment ◽  
Floral Organs ◽  
Feeding Function ◽  
Pollen Flowers

Abstract Buzz-pollinated pollen flowers have pollen as the primary resource for pollinators and must deal with a conflict between the exploitation of pollen grains by bees and pollination success. It has been hypothesized that heterostemony allows division of labour between stamens as a solution to the pollen dilemma. To test the division of labour hypothesis, we chose Cassia fistula, which has a trimorphic androecium and analysed androecium development, pollen grain release mechanisms and visitor behaviour. We explored the reflectance of floral organs and carried out an exclusion experiment to test the attractiveness of each stamen morph to the bee species. Finally, we explored the structural, ultrastructural and functional variation between the pollen grains, including pollen viability across stamen morphs. The differences among the three stamen morphs, which is developed from two whorls of the stamen, are the first evidence of the division of labour in our study system. Large Bombus and Xylocopa bees actively and exclusively exploited the pollen grains from the central poricidal anthers generating pollen deposition on their bodies. The reflectance pattern of floral organs indicated a targeting of these large bees to the central anthers, corroborated by the anther manipulative experiment where only the exclusion of the anthers positioned in the flower centre, especially the intermediate stamens, reduced bee visits. Both results revealed a division of labour, in which the intermediate stamen morph was responsible for both floral attractiveness and pollen resources. Only the largest stamen morph produced germinable pollen grains, highlighting their role as pollinating stamens. The smallest stamen morph has a less clear function, likely representing an economy in pollen production for feeding function. Our findings suggest that the evolution of the trimorphic androecium is associated with division of labour in large pollen flowers and can represent a strong strategy for circumventing the pollen dilemma, optimizing the feeding function by reducing pollen grain investment from central anthers.

scholarly journals A Duplicated Copy of the Meiotic Gene ZIP4 Preserves up to 50% Pollen Viability and Grain Number in Polyploid Wheat

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 290
Author(s):  
Abdul Kader Alabdullah ◽  
Graham Moore ◽  
Azahara C. Martín
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Wheat Chromosome ◽  
Grain Number ◽  
Meiotic Gene ◽  
Chromosome 5B ◽  
Mutant Pollen ◽  
Female Gametogenesis ◽  
Chromosome 3B

Although most flowering plants are polyploid, little is known of how the meiotic process evolves after polyploidisation to stabilise and preserve fertility. On wheat polyploidisation, the major meiotic gene ZIP4 on chromosome 3B duplicated onto 5B and diverged (TaZIP4-B2). TaZIP4-B2 was recently shown to promote homologous pairing, synapsis and crossover, and suppress homoeologous crossover. We therefore suspected that these meiotic stabilising effects could be important for preserving wheat fertility. A CRISPR Tazip4-B2 mutant was exploited to assess the contribution of the 5B duplicated ZIP4 copy in maintaining pollen viability and grain setting. Analysis demonstrated abnormalities in 56% of meiocytes in the Tazip4-B2 mutant, with micronuclei in 50% of tetrads, reduced size in 48% of pollen grains and a near 50% reduction in grain number. Further studies showed that most of the reduced grain number occurred when Tazip4-B2 mutant plants were pollinated with the less viable Tazip4-B2 mutant pollen rather than with wild type pollen, suggesting that the stabilising effect of TaZIP4-B2 on meiosis has a greater consequence in subsequent male, rather than female gametogenesis. These studies reveal the extraordinary value of the wheat chromosome 5B TaZIP4-B2 duplication to agriculture and human nutrition. Future studies should further investigate the role of TaZIP4-B2 on female fertility and assess whether different TaZIP4-B2 alleles exhibit variable effects on meiotic stabilisation and/or resistance to temperature change.

scholarly journals Biology of Flowering, Fruit and Viability of Pollen of Varieties and Forms of Quince Cultivated on the Territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 64-69
Author(s):  
L. Bayramov
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Fertility ◽  
Pollen Germination ◽  
Glucose Solution ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Germinated Pollen ◽  
Autonomous Republic

Abstract. The zones of distribution of varieties and forms of quince on the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic have been established, phenological observations have been carried out, their flowering and fruiting have been studied. On the territory of the Autonomous Republic, flowering of varieties and forms of quince begins in the second decade of April, depending on the distribution zone, with an average daily temperature of 12–13 °C and lasts 12–13 days, depending on weather conditions. Each flower has 10–12 stamens arranged in one row. The article also studied the viability of pollen in a number of quince varieties. Pollen viability was studied in the varieties Sary, Tursh, Ordubad, Gara and wild forms. Pollen fertility was determined by staining with acetocarmine. Pollen germinates in 2–5–10–15 and 20% glucose solution. Counting of germinated pollen grains was carried out under a microscope. The study showed that of all the experimental varieties, the pollen fertility of the Sary quince and Tursh quince varieties is high (up to 96.6–97.1%). The best medium for the germination of quince pollen is a 10–15% glucose solution. Pollen germination in this solution reaches 47.4–88.0%. In distilled water (control), the germination of quince pollen reached from 9.7% to 35.6% for varieties. Quince pollen remains viable for 31–43 days.

scholarly journals Flowering Biology of Rhododendron pulchrum

Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 508
Author(s):  
Jie Qiu ◽  
Chao Gao ◽  
Hongli Wei ◽  
Biao Wang ◽  
Yang Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorimetric Assay ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Polar Axis ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Mtt Colorimetric Assay ◽  
Single Flower ◽  
Axis Length ◽  
To Receive

To study the flowering biology of Rhododendron pulchrum, we used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and paraffin sectioning to observe the microstructures of its floral organs, a methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay to detect pollen viability in different periods, continuous observations to study flowering phenology, and artificial pollination and a benzidine-hydrogen peroxide method to determine stigma receptivity. R. pulchrum exhibited a centralized flowering phenology. The protogynous stigmas of R. pulchrum were able to receive pollen before flowering. The pollen grains of R. pulchrum fused into tetrads, the average ratio of the polar axis length to the equatorial axis length (P/E) was 1.05, and the pollen viability was highest in the initial flowering period, reaching 88.98%. The pollen/ovule (P/O) ratio was 266–328, and the outcrossing index (OCI) was 4; the vitality of R. pulchrum pollen remained high in the initial flowering and blooming periods. Compared with the lifespan of a single flower, pollen vitality remained high for most of the experimental period, thereby improving male fitness. The P/O ratio suggests that R. pulchrum may have a facultative outcrossing breeding system. The OCI estimation suggests that R. pulchrum is partially self-compatible, most likely requiring pollinators to complete pollination.

scholarly journals Reproductive characterization of interspecific hybrids among Capsicum species

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Eduardo da Silva Monteiro ◽  
Telma Nair Santana Pereira ◽  
Karina Pereira de Campos
Keyword(s):  
Male Sterility ◽  
Interspecific Hybrids ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Male Sterile ◽  
Viable Pollen ◽  
Hybrid Combination ◽  
Capsicum Species ◽  
The Cross

The objective of this study was the reproductive characterization of Capsicum accessions as well as of interspecific hybrids, based on pollen viability. Hybrids were obtained between Capsicum species. Pollen viability was high in most accessions, indicating that meiosis is normal, resulting in viable pollen grains. The pollen viability of species C. pubescens was the lowest (27 %). The interspecific hybrids had varying degrees of pollen viability, from fertile combinations (C. chinense x C. frutescens and C. annuum x C. baccatum) to male sterile combinations. Pollen viability also varied within the hybrid combination according to accessions used in the cross. Results indicate that male sterility is one of the incompatibility barriers among Capsicum species since hybrids can be established, but may be male sterile.

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