Pollen tube behavior in yellow passion fruit following compatible and incompatible crosses

Pistil squashes were used to examine the growth of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg pollen tubes in self-compatible and self-incompatible crosses. Compatible tubes typically showed a uniform layer of callose deposition in the walls and in small plugs spaced at regular intervals within the tube. Two sites of rejection were observed in incompatible crosses: the stigma and on some occasions the style, especially in anomalous crosses. In the style the inhibition of pollen-tube growth occurred in both the upper and middle parts of the transmitting tract. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that suggests the presence of a gametophytic gene which acts in association with the sporophytic S-gene in P. edulis.

Authors and Affiliations

1. Universidade Federal de Roraima, Campus de Paricarana, 69300.270 – Boa Vista – RR. Brazil e-mail: mailson@alunos.ufv.br Fax: 31-899-2579, , , , , , BR

   M. M. Rêgo

2. Universidade Federal de Vicosa, Departmento de Fitotecnia, 36571-000 Viçosa – MG. Brazil e-mail: bruckner@mail.ufv.br, , , , , , BR

   C. H. Bruckner & F. L. Finger

3. Universidade Federal de Vicosa. Departamento de Biologia Vegetal. 36571-000 – Viçosa – MG. Brazil, , , , , , BR

   E.A.M. Da Silva

Received: 12 October 1998 / Accepted: 2 December 1999

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