Abstract Detail

Reproductive Processes

LARUE, Clement [1], BASSET, Gaelle [1], LEPAIS, Olivier [1], PETIT, Remy [1].

Is self-pollen interference driving the evolution of gynodioecy in European chestnut?

Chestnut, which is widely cultivated for its edible fruits, is a self-incompatible mass-flowering tree that attracts numerous insects responsible for the bulk of pollination, with wind pollination playing only a minor role. In European chestnut, a significant proportion of the trees are male-sterile (i.e. astaminate). Their male catkins are still present, produce nectar but bear only aborted stamens. Our quantitative assessment of insect visitors show that some insects avoid male-sterile trees (honeybees, bumblebees) whereas others (such as some beetles) do not discriminate trees according to their sex. Yet, despite receiving less visits, male-sterile chestnuts are more productive than male-fertile ones (mean number of flowers producing fruits: 74% versus 54%). Our emasculation experiments suggest that this reproductive advantage of male-sterile trees is caused by the elimination of self-pollen interference.  

1 - INRAE, Biogeco, 69 route d’Arcachon, Cestas, 33610, France

Keywords:
Castanea sativa
insect pollination
Ovule discounting
Late-acting self-incompatibility
Fagaceae
Pollen limitation
Emasculation experiment.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: REP1, Reproductive Processes 1
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Wednesday, July 29th, 2020
Time: 10:45 AM
Number: REP1004
Abstract ID:383
Candidate for Awards:None