Pollen competition as a plant-breeding tool to realise vigorous progeny: testing the feasibility in Dianthus chinensis Linn

Abstract

Gametophytic competition among male gametes assumes most vigorous pollen getting selected with the increase in competition among pollen grains. In the present study competition among male gametophytes was enhanced by subjecting them to spatial competition before fertilization. This competition was effectively realized by pollinating at tip of stigmatic surface unlike the general method of pollinating the entire stigmatic surface. Progeny resulting from tip pollination was compared with that resulting from entire pollination. Significant increase in several growth parameters of progeny resulting from tip pollination indicated enhanced vigour compared to that resulting from entire pollination. Furthermore, the results were also compared and confirmed in situations of enhanced genetic diversity among competing pollen grains during spatial competition.