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Journal of Cell Science, Vol 95, 659-665, Copyright © 1990 by Company of Biologists

Submitted on July 3, 1989
Accepted on January 4, 1990

Pseudo-self-compatibility in Ultraviolet-irradiated Plants of Primula Acaulis (‘pin’ morph)

LUISA CARRARO 1, P. D. GEROLA 2, GIULIANA LOMBARDO 1, and F. M. GEROLA 1

1 Dipartimento di Biologia, Sezione di Botanica Sistematica, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
2 Dipartimento di Ecologia, Universitá della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy

Apoplastic peroxidase distribution in transmitting tissue of the stylar ‘neck’ was investigated using the DAB cytochemical reaction applied to electron microscopy in non-, self- and cross-pollinated pistils of Primula acaulis (‘pin’ morph) exposed or not to ultraviolet (u.v.) irradiation. In non-irradiated flowers, apoplastic peroxidase activity, which is present in non-pollinated pistils, is increased by self-pollination, whereas cross-pollination causes its disappearance from the central portion of the transmitting tissue. Apoplastic peroxidases localized in the central portion of the transmitting tissue are supposed to play a role in the predisposition of the pistil to reject incompatible pollen tubes and in the rejection mechanism itself. Pistil irradiation with u.v., which induces pseudo-self-compatibility, modified the aforementioned apoplastic peroxidase distribution. Shortly after u.v. irradiation of nonpollinated styles, apoplastic peroxidase activity was absent from the central portion of the transmitting tissue; some hours later peroxidase activity was restored, and 40 h after treatment, the ‘normal’ peroxidase distribution was observed. Our data suggest an u.v.-induced temporary removal of the ‘predisposition for incompatible pollen tube rejection. Moreover, soon after irradiation, the usually observed peroxidase production due to self-pollination was inhibited. Pseudo-self-compatibility, observed when self-pollination was carried out immediately after u.v. irradiation, was due to incompatible pollen tube elongation in a transmitting tissue devoid of apoplastic peroxidases and hindered in the rejection mechanism. However, pseudo-self-compatible pollen tube growth was not accompanied by the dramatic changes in transmitting tissue ultrastructure observed after compatible cross-pollination. The data indicate that, even if incompatible pollen tubes are not ‘rejected’, they are still ‘recognized’ and hindered in their absorption of cellular reserves from the transmitting tissue.

Key words: apoplastic peroxidases, Primula acaulis, pseudo-self-compatibility, stylar transmitting tissue, u.v. irradiation

Submitted on July 3, 1989
Accepted on January 4, 1990






© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1990