Summary
Recent studies on the mechanism of self-incompatibility in Brassica indicate the location, nature and mode of action of the molecules involved. Characteristics of the pollen surface and the stigma surface are described in detail, together with new information pertaining to the recognition molecules located therein. A sequence of events is outlined leading from pollination, through adhesion, hydration, germination, and tube growth to acceptance and ultimate compatibility. The characteristics of rejection of incompatible grains are described for each stage of the pollen-stigma interaction. It is proposed that recognition of proteins from the coating of self-pollen by the molecules in the pellicle results in the formation of a biologically-active complex which inhibits water supply to the incompatible grain, and that all other manifestations of incompatibility are a consequence of this initial response.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature
Bateman, A.J. (1955): Self-incompatibility in Angiosperms. III. Cruciferae. Heredity 9, 52–68
Bolwell, G.P.; Callow, J.A.; Callow, M.E.; Evans, L.V. (1979): Fertilisation in brown algae. II. Evidence for lectin-sensitive complementary receptors involved in gamete recognition in Fucus serratus. J. Cell Sci. 36, 19–30
Brewbaker, J.L. (1957): Pollen cytology and incompatibility systems in plants. J. Hered. 48, 271–277
Carter, A.L.; McNeilly, T. (1975): Effects of increased humidity on pollen growth and seed set following self-pollination in Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera). Euphytica 24, 805–813
Carter, A.L.; McNeilly, T. (1976): Increased atmospheric humidity post-pollination: a possible aid to the production of inbred line seed from mature flowers in the Brassies sprout (Brassica oleracea var. ‘gemmifera’). Euphytica 25, 531–536
Clarke, A.E.; Gleeson, P.; Harrison, S.; Knox, R.B. (1979): Pollenstigma interactions: Identification and Characterisation of surface components with recognition potential. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 76, 3358–3362
Darwin, C. (1876): Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom. 2nd Ed. 1878. New York: D. Appleton
Dickinson, H.G.; Lewis, D. (1973a): Cytochemical and ultrastructural differences between intraspecific compatible and incompatible pollinations in Raphanus. Proc. Roy. Soc. (Lond.) B. 183, 21–38
Dickinson, H.G.; Lewis, D. (1973b): The formation of the tryphine coating pollen grains of Raphanus, and its properties relating to the self-incompatibility system. Proc. Roy. Soc. (Lond.) B. 184, 149–165
Ferrari, T.E.; Wallace, D.H. (1975): Germination of Brassica pollen and expression of incompatibility in vitro. Euphytica 24, 757–765
Ferrari, I.E.; Wallace, D.H. (1977): A model for self-recognition and regulation of the incompatibility response of pollen. Theor. Appl. Genet. 50, 211–225
Heslop-Harrison, J. (1975): Incompatibility and the pollen stigma interaction. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 26, 403–425
Heslop-Harrison, J.; Heslop-Harrison, Y. (1975): Enzymic removal of the proteinaceous pellicle of the stigma papilla prevents pollen tube entry in the Caryophyllaceae. Ann. Bot. 39, 163–165
Heslop-Harrison, Y. (1976): Localisation of concanavalin A binding sites on the stigma surface of a grass species. Micron 7, 33–36
Heslop-Harrison, Y.; Shivanna, K.R. (1977): The receptive surface of the angiosperm stigma. Ann. Bot. 41, 1233–58
Knox, F.R.; Heslop-Harrison, J.; Reed (1970): Localisation of antigens associated with the pollen grain wall by immunofluorescence. Nature 225, 1066–1068
Kroh, M. (1964): An electron microscopic study of the behaviour of Cruciferae pollen after pollination. In: Pollen Physiology and Fertilisation Linskens, H.F., pp. 221–224. Ed.: Amsterdam: N. Holland Publ. G.
Kroh, M. (1966): Reaction of pollen after transfer from one stigma to another. Der Züchter 36, 185–189.
Mattsson, O.: Knox, R.B.; Heslop-Harrison, J.; Heslop-Harrison, Y. (1974): Protein pellicle of stigmatic papillae as a probable recognition site in incompatibility reactions. Nature 213, 703–704
Murabaa, A.I.M. el. (1957): Factors affecting seed set in Brussels sprouts, radish and cyclamen. Meded. Landbouwhogesch. Wageningen 57, 1–33
Nakanishii, T.; Hinara, K. (1973): An effective time for CO2 gas treatment in overcoming self-incompatibility in Brassica. Plant Cell Physiol. 14, 873–879
Nasrallah, M.E.; Wallace, D.H. (1967): Immunogenetics of self-incompatibility in Brassica oleracea L. Heredity 22, 519–527
Nasrallah, M.E.; Barber, J.T.; Wallace, D.H. (1970): Self-incompatibility proteins in plants: detection, genetics and possible mode of action. Heredity 25, 23–27
Nettancourt, D. de (1977): Incompatibility in Angiosperms. Monographs on Theoretical and Applied Genetics 3. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer-Verlag.
Nishio, T.; Hinata, K. (1977): Analysis of S-specific proteins in stigma of Brassica oleracea L. by isoelectric focussing. Heredity 38, 391–396
Nishio, T.; Hinata, K. (1978): Stigma proteins in self-incompatible Brassica campestris L. and self-compatible relatives, with special reference to S-allele specificity. Jap. J. Genet. 53, 197–205
Ockendon, D.J. (1972): Pollen tube growth and site of incompatibility in Brassica. New Phytol. 71, 519–522
Ockendon, D.J. (1978): Effect of hexane and humidity on self-incompatibility in Brassica oleracea. Theor. Appl. Genet. 52, 113–119
Roberts, I.N.; Stead, A.D.; Ockendon, D.J.; Dickinson, H.G. (1979a): A glycoprotein associated with the acquisition of the self-incompatibility system by maturing stigmas of Brassica oleracea. Planta 146, 179–183
Roberts, I.N.; Stead, A.D.; Dickinson, H.G. (1979b): No fundamental changes in lipids of the pollen grain coating of Brassica oleracea following either sel- for cross-pollinations. Incompatibility Newsletter 11, 77–83
Roggen, H.P. (1974): Pollen washing influences in compatibility in Brassica oleracea Varieties. In: Fertilisation in Higher Plants Ed.: Linskens, H.F., pp. 273–278. Amsterdam North Holland Publ. Co.
Roggen, H.P. (1975): Stigma application of a extract from rape pollen (Brassica rapus L.) effects self-incompatibility in Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea var. ‘gemmifera’). Incompatibility Newsletter 6, 80–84
Sedgely, M. (1974): Assessment of serological techiniques for Sallele Identification in Brassica oleracea. Euphytic 23, 543–551
Shivanna, K.R.; Heslop-Harrison, Y.; Heslop-Harrison, J. (1978): The pollen stigma interaction: bud pollination in the Cruciferae. Acta Bot. Neerl. 27, 107–119
Stead, A.D.; Roberts, I.N.; Dickinson, H.G. (1979): Pollen-pistil interaction in Brassica oleracea: events prior to pollen germination. Planta 146, 211–216
Stead, A.D.; Roberts, I.N.; Dickinson, H.G. (1980): Pollen-stigma interaction in Brassica oleracea: the role of stigmatic proteins in pollen grain adhesion. J. Cell Sci. 42, 417–423
Vernay, M.; Cornic, M.; Aubrey, M. and Bourrillon, R. (1978): Relationship between regeneration of cell surface glycoproteins in trypsin-treated chick embryo fibroblasts and cell adhesion to the substratum. Experientia 34, 736–737
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by H.F. Linskens
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Roberts, I.N., Stead, A.D., Ockendon, D.J. et al. Pollen stigma interactions in Brassica oleracea . Theoret. Appl. Genetics 58, 241–246 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00265173
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00265173