Summary
Seven genotypes of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were crossed with rye (Secale cereale L.) in order to find the site or sites of action of the crossability genes, Kr 1 and Kr 2, of wheat. The data obtained, by fluorescence microscopy, were compared to the controls (wheat x wheat). The results indicate that the crossability genes have little effect on pollen germination and on the time taken for the pollen tubes to reach the microphyle, irrespective of their crossabilities with rye. The number of pollen tubes reaching the microphyle is, however, affected by the Kr-genes, as high crossable genotypes have more pollen tubes than the low crossable ones. There was a high correlation between the mean number of pollen tubes at the micropyle with seed set, which also reflects the crossability. The Kr-genes seem to manifest themselves in the retardation and inhibition of pollen tube growth between the style base and the top of the embryo sac, where the effect is most distinct in the low crossable genotypes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Backhouse, O. W., 1916. Note on inheritance of crossability. J. Genet. 6: 91–94.
Bennett, M. D., M. K. Rao, J. B. Smith & M. W. Bayliss, 1973. Cell development in the anther, the and the young seed of Triticum aestivum L. var. Chinese Spring. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. London, B. Biol. Sci. 266: 39–81.
Boyes, J. W. & W. P. Thompson, 1937. The development of the endosperm and embryo in reciprocal interspecific crosses in cereals. J. Genet. 34: 203–227.
Buchloz, J. T. & A. F. Blakeslee, 1927. Pollen tube growth at various temperatures. Amer. J. Bot. 32: 103–106.
Chou, M. C. & D. J. Harberd, 1970. Note on visual distinction of fluorescent callose of pollen tubes and of sieve tubes in styler tissue of Brassica and its allies. Euphytica 19: 379–381.
Dorsey, M. J., 1919. A study of sterility in the plum. Genetica 4: 417–488.
Jalani, B. S., 1973. Crossability, cytogenetics and fertility in Gramineae. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Reading, England.
Kho, Y. O. & J. Baer, 1970. A microscopical research on the incompatibility in the cross Rhododendron impeditum x R. williamsianum. Euphytica 19: 303–309.
Krowlow, K.-D., 1970. Untersuchungen über die Kreuzbarkeit zwischen Weizen und Roggen. Z. Pflanzenzüchtg 64: 44–72.
Lange, W. & R. Riley, 1973. The position on chromosome 5B of wheat of the locus determining crossability with rye. Genet. Res. 22: 143–153.
Lange, W. & B. Wojciechowska, 1976. The crossing of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with cultivated rye (Secale cereale L.). I. Crossability, pollen grain germination and pollen tube growth. Euphytica 25: 609–620.
Leighty, C. E. & Sando, 1928. Natural and artificial hybrids of Chinese wheat and rye. J. Hered. 19: 28–61.
Lein, A., 1943. Die genetische Grundlage der Kreuzbarkeit zwischen Weizen und Roggen. Z. indukt. Abstamm.-u. Vereblehre 81: 28–61.
Martin, F. W., 1959. Staining and observing pollen tubes in the style by means of fluorescence. Stain Technol. 34: 125–128.
Meister, N. & Tjumjakoff, 1928. Rye-wheat bybrids from reciprocal crosses. J. Genet. 20: 233–244.
Meyer, H., 1971. Blütenbiologische Untersuchungen bei Getreidekreuzungen. I. Mitt. Das Wachstum von Roggen- und Weizenpollenschläuchen in der Weizennarbe und die Entwicklung des Fruchtkrotens bis 48 Stunden nach der Bestäubung. Arch. Züchtungsforsch. 1: 171–183.
Moss, J. P., 1965. Chromosome behaviour in plant breeding. D. Phil. Thesis, Oxford University, England.
Moss, J. P., 1970. Endosperm failure and cross incompatibility in crosses between Triticum and Secale. Chromosomes Today 3: 124–132.
Pope, M. N., 1937. The time factor on pollen tube growth and fertilization in barley. J. Agr. Res. 54: 525–529.
Pope, M. N., 1943. The temperature factor in fertilization and growth of the barley ovule. J. Agr. Res. 66: 389–402.
Pope, M. N., 1946. The couse of the pollen tube growth in cultivated barley. J. Amer. Soc. Agron. 38: 432–440.
Riley, R. & V. Chapman, 1967. The inheritance in wheat of crossability with rye. Genet. Res. 9: 259–267.
Taylor, J. W. & K. S. Quisenberry, 1935. Inheritance of rye crossability in wheat hybrids. J. Amer. Soc. Agron. 27: 149–153.
Tozu, T., 1965. On the crossability between wheat and rye, especially reference to the pollen tube growth, fertilization and amino acids, of the stigma and ovule. Jap. J. Breed. 15: 69.
Tozu, T., 1966. Crossability between wheat and rye. Seiken Zihô 18: 33–38.
Wojciechowska, B. & W. Lange, 1977. The crossing of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) II. Fertilization and post-fertilization developments. Euphytica 26: 287–297.
Zeven, A. C. & C.van Heemert, 1970. Germination of pollen of weed rye (Secale segetale L.) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stigma and the growth of the pollen tubes. Euphytica 19: 175–179.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jalani, B.S., Moss, J.P. The site of action of the crossability genes (Kr 1, Kr 2) between Triticum and Secale. I. Pollen germination, pollen tube growth, and number of pollen tubes. Euphytica 29, 571–579 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023204
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00023204