Pollen Tube Growth Inhibition in Some Interspecific Hybrids of Solanum Species: A Research Note in Wide Hybridization

Abstract

In the advent of modern agriculture, plant development programs aim to produce superior eggplant varieties which are resistant to pests and diseases. The interspecific hybrids of eggplant promise plant combinations that are expected to withstand different environmental changes through time. There are various crop wild relatives of eggplant that bear opportunity for interspecific transfer of disease, insect and nematode resistance. Interspesific F1 hybrids between S. aethiopicum Acc.8971 and S. melongena var. DLP and Acc. 3305 were produced. Recovered crosses were observed to have a high percentage of flower abscission and fruit set was never noted in them. Pollen tube study was conducted to unveil the pre-fertilization barriers causing hybrid sterility and breakdown. Fluorescence microscopy was used to determine pre-fertilization barriers. The pre-fertilization barrier in the form of inhibited pollen tube growth was noted.