Self-incompatibility: a pollination control mechanism in plants

Abstract

SUMMARYMode of pollination is very important in plant breeding because it determines the genetic constitution, nature of gene action, ease in pollination control and stability of varieties after release. There are several mechanisms that promote cross pollination, among these self-incompatibility (SI) is of special significance as it is used in hybrid seed production. SI is defined as the prevention of fusion of fertile (functional) male and female gametes of the same plant (Gowers, 1989). SI is a system where self-recognition and rejection is the rule that prevents inbreeding depression. Bateman (1952) classified self-incompatibility based on the interaction between pollen grains and pistil as complementary and oppositional system. Lewis (1954) has classified SI into homomorphic and heteromorphic systems. Homomorphic SI is again subdivided into gametophytic (determined by the genotype of gametes) and sporophytic (determined by the genotype of the plant) systems. Molecular studies after 1980's revealed that at least two genes within S-locus control the SI, among these one unit function as male and the other as female determinant. In Brassicaceae family, the determinant gene encodes a pollen ligand and its stigmatic receptor kinase and their interaction induces incompatible signaling within the stigma papilla cells. In the Solanaceae, Rosaceae, and Scrophulariaceae, the female determinant is ribonuclease and F-box protein, suggesting the involvement of RNA degradation and protein degradation within the system. In the Papaveraceae, the female determinant induces Ca 2+ dependent signaling network that ultimately results in the death of incompatible pollen (Takayama and Isogai, 2005). Genes controlling the SI is multiallelic in nature and number of alleles varies depending upon the crop. Number of alleles reported are five in Theobroma cacao (Knight and Rogers, 1953), 30 in Brassica campestris (Singh, 2012), 32 alleles in Raphanussativus (Karron et al., 1989). SI is commercially exploited for the production hybrid seeds. Pusa Hybrid-2, Snow Queen and Snow King hybrids of cauliflower, BRH-5, H-44 of cabbage and CCRP8 to CCRP15 (Minimol et al., 2015a) of cocoa are some of the examples. Kucera et al. (2006) has compared the quality between SI and male sterility hybrids in cauliflower and it was found that SI hybrids are superior in their performance. Minimol et al. (2015b) emphasized the importance of polyclonal garden in cocoa for production of F 1 hybrid seeds by utilizing the self-incompatibility. Rego and Rego (2013) evaluated the efficiency of three methods of overcoming self-incompatibility in passion fruit and found fruit set of 16.67 and 10 per cent in bud and double pollination, respectively. The main limitations in exploiting SI is the maintenance of inbreds, however, it can be overcome by some temporary methods such as bud pollination, salt sprays and irradiation methods.

Near extinct Argyreia versicolor and rare Argyreia mekongensis are dependent on carpenter bee pollinators

“…However, the Convolvulaceae family is highly diverse, and other mating systems are common, including self-compatible ( Pick and Schlindwein 2011 ; Delgado-Dávila et al 2016 ) and mixed mating systems ( Chang and Rausher 1999 ; McMullen 2009 ; Wright et al 2012 ). Self-incompatibility is well-known as an important and prevalent mechanism that promotes outcrossing in angiosperms ( Whitehouse 1950 ; Richards 1997 ; Allen and Hiscock 2008 ; Narayanapur et al 2018 ) and the results of our controlled pollination experiments, coupled with the findings from our pollinator observations, indicate that both A. versicolor and A. mekongensis are reliant on pollinators to promote outcrossing. Interestingly, while both species are herkogamous to different degrees, their flowers are pendant and autogamous pollen likely falls on the stigmas, which suggests a genetic basis for their self-incompatibility rather than a physical mechanism.…”

Programmed Cell Death May Be Involved in the Seedless Phenotype Formation of Oil Palm

“…When pollens fall on stigma, S-RNase is produced and they enter into the stigma surface. Thereafter, they degrade the RNA coding enzyme for pollen tube growth which results in death of the pollen tube ( Narayanapur et al, 2018 ). It has been proposed that SRK and SLG cooperatively function in SI response of Brassica ( Takasaki et al, 2000 ).…”

Pollination and Floral Biology of a Rare Morning Glory Species Endemic to Thailand, Argyreia siamensis

“…fistulosa [17]), and species with mixed mating systems (i.e., I. habeliana [18], Calystegia [19], M. macrocalyx [20]). Self-incompatibility is an important mechanism that promotes cross-pollination [21,22]. However, self-incompatible species are highly dependent on pollinators, and require reliable and effective pollinators for pollen transfer [23], as insufficient or ineffective visitation can lead to pollen limitation [24][25][26].…”