using salt solution to overcome self sterility

General Discussion
1

The following link mentions using a salt solution to overcome self sterility. It also has a neat watering system using a wick.

http://www.zoo.utoronto.ca/able/volumes/vol-15/12-ecker/12-ecker.htm

Link: www.zoo.utoronto.ca/able/volumes/vol-15/12-ecker/12-ecker.htm

2

I haven’t looked up the type of self-compatibility of Brassica, but from the description of the incompatibility reaction happening at the stigmatic surface that suggests a sporophytic system. Roses have a gametophytic system. This means that rose pollen germinates from both compatible and incompatible sources, but the rate of the pollen tubes is slower in the incompatible males and the tubes often burst before they get to the egg. I haven’t read about salt overcoming a gametophytic system. Since the gametophytic system relys on protein / protein interactions within the style methods to overcome this incompatibility rely on degrading proteins (especially in the style). The most common methods include heat to directly inactivate the protein or reducing the length of the styles so the tubes don’t need to grow as far. In hot greenhouses I’ve had selfs take on normally self-incompatible diploid polyanthas.

Sincerely,

David

3

You are correct Dave, I found the following link http://veghome.ucdavis.edu/Classes/ASE110/Brassicas.htm

that indicates brassicas have a sporophytic self incompatibility.

Thank you.

Link: veghome.ucdavis.edu/Classes/ASE110/Brassicas.htm

4

Title: OVERCOMING SELF-INCOMPATIBILITY THROUGH THE USE OF LECTINS AND SUGARS IN PETUNIA AND ERUCA

Authors: SHARMA N; BAJAJ M; SHIVANNA K R

Author Address: DEP. OF BOTANY, UNIVERSITY OF DELHI, DELHI 110007, INDIA.

Published in: Annals of Botany (London), volumn 55, pages 139-142, (1985).

Abstract: " Overcoming self-incompatibility through the use of lectins and sugars in Petunia and Eruca.Treatment of stigma with a lectin (Con A[concanavalin A]/PHA[phytohemagglutinin]) before pollination was effective in overcoming self-incompatibility in P. hybrida, a gametophytic self-incompatible system, and E. sativa, a sporophytic self-incompatible system. Treatment of pollen with glucose/N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (tested only with Petunia) was also effective. The involvement of pollen lectins and specific sugar components of the pistil in self-incompatibility recognition is suggested."