The effects of pesticides on morphology, viability, and germination of Blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth.) and Tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav.) pollen grains

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of application of pesticides on morphology, viability, and germination of pollen grains of Blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth.) and Tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav.). The study was performed at Patate, Tungurahua province, Ecuador and was divided into two phases. Phase one dedicated to the study of morphology, viability, and identification of nutrient solution for better germination of pollen grains and phase two for the analysis of the effect of conventional, organic, and biological pesticides on pollen grain germination and pollen tube length. To study pollen morphology, pollens were extracted by hand pressure and was analyzed by optical and electron microscopy. The viable pollen grains were identified by staining with 1% acetocarmine. Even though Tree tomato and Blackberry pollen grains are morphologically similar, their exine shapes differ. We observed four times increase in pollen germination rate when suspended in nutrient solution (Sucrose with Boric acid) than control (water). Pollen grains under nutrient solution were subjected to different groups of pesticides for the period of 2, 4, and 6 h. With respect to pesticide affect, the Blackberry pollen grain germination followed the following order: Lecaniceb

Comparison of the Micromorphology and Ultrastructure of Pollen Grains of Selected Rubus idaeus L. Cultivars Grown in Commercial Plantation

“…Similar striated arrangement has been described in some species of the genus Rubus : R. montanus, R. mollis , and R. spiribillei [ 73 ]. Perforated sculpture was found in other species of the subgenera Chamaebatus, Ideobatus , and Micranthobathus [ 71 , 74 , 75 ]. In other taxa of this genus, the arrangement of striae formed various surface types: loosely striated ( R. acuminatissimus and R. niveus ) , densely striated ( R. copelandii ) , scabrate-striated ( R. lorentzianus ), and papillate-striated ( R. odoratus ).…”

“…In other taxa of this genus, the arrangement of striae formed various surface types: loosely striated ( R. acuminatissimus and R. niveus ) , densely striated ( R. copelandii ) , scabrate-striated ( R. lorentzianus ), and papillate-striated ( R. odoratus ). In turn, the surface in R. glaucus was found to be smooth [ 71 , 73 , 75 ]. The pollen grain sculpture in other Rubus taxa exhibited the presence of numerous irregular protuberances forming rugulate ( R. archboldianus ) or scabrate ( R. macgregorii ) surfaces [ 75 ].…”

“…Pollen grains in plants from the subfamily Rosoideae represent the tricolpate-porate type [67][68][69][70][71][72][73]. The exine of pollen grains in, e.g., Alchemilla occidentalis, Amelanchier alnifolia, Aruncus sylvester, Chamaerhodos erecta, and various species of the genus Rubus bears perforations [59,63,64,[74][75][76].…”

Feasibility of Mechanical Pollination in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops: A Review

“…Pollinisers can produce a high percentage of sterile [22] or non-viable pollen [18]. Adverse weather conditions and agronomic practices (e.g., pesticides) can also reduce pollen viability [23].…”

“…Typically, pollen is harvested prior to anthesis to avoid contamination and to minimize loss via pollen shedding (Figure 2). Pollen quality can vary by genotype [17,18], weather conditions during flowering [70], flower maturity [71] and agronomic practices (e.g., pesticide application, [23,72]). A comparison of nine pear cultivars (Pyrus communis) grown in the same orchard found in vitro germination ranged from 3 to 71%, with values increasing to 12 to 88% in the subsequent year due to warmer weather [18].…”