Cold tolerance during early reproductive growth of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): genetic variation in gamete development and function

Chilling temperatures at flowering cause floral abortion in most chickpea cultivars. Recent evaluations of germplasm showed distinct genotypic differences in pod and seed set at low temperature but the morpho-physiological basis for such variation is unclear. Observations in the field during cold spells of December and January, and at 15/5°C and 15/0°C (day/night) regimes in growth rooms showed distinct genetic variation in flower morphology, gamete development (viability and size of pollen and ovules) and function (pollen germination and tube growth, ovule viability and fertilization, etc.). The greater pod-setting ability of tolerant lines (ICCVs 88502 and 88503) than the sensitive cultivars (Annigeri, Pant G 114, etc.) was associated with a higher pollen vigour (germination and tube growth) and ovule viability at low temperature in the former. The number of ovules was not affected by cold stress in all cultivars/lines but pollen size and viability were reduced in Annigeri. The reduced ovule fertilization, associated with decline in pollen tube growth and ovule viability, was the major cause for poor seed set at low temperatures. The magnitude of effects on gamete function varied with cultivar/line and severity of stress. Function of both pollen and ovules was adversely affected in Annigeri in 15/5° and 15/0°C regimes. In contrast, the reduction in pollen vigour was more than in ovule viability in ICCV 88510 and Pant G 114 at 15/5°C. At 15/0°C, however, both pollen vigour and ovule viability were reduced. A small increase in pod set of sensitive genotypes from manual pollinations with pollen from plants in the warm regime further suggested that pollen function was more adversely affected than pistil function at moderately low temperatures.     

Effect of high temperatures in the pre-blooming and blooming periods on ovule formation,pollen grains and yield of ‘Granada’ peach

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of high temperatures in the pre-blooming and blooming periods on the growth of sexual gametes and yield of ‘Granada’ peach. The experiment was carried out in the commercial orchard of Charqueadas, under the subtropical conditions of the Central Depression at Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil (28°57′S; 51°37′W; 30 m alt.). Two treatments were tested: (1) trees in the greenhouse with partial ventilation and (2) trees in the orchard. The phenology, morphologic constitutions of the pollen grains, ovule growth, yield and germination (%) of pollen grains and fruit set were evaluated. High temperatures in the pre-blooming and blooming periods anticipated the break of dormancy and blooming. These conditions also delayed the female gametophytes (embryo sac) and promoted anomalies in the formation of male gametophytes. Those factors promoted low pollen viability and a lack of synchrony in fertilization, thereby generating low fruit set percentages and yield.     

槲树不同发育时期胚珠石蜡切片制备体系的优化

【目的】建立并优化适宜槲树子房或胚珠石蜡切片的制作体系,为后续槲树胚胎发育学研究提供技术支撑。【方法】以不同发育时期的槲树雌花为试验材料,将材料以60 d为界分为60 d前和60 d后两部分,对材料处理方式(授粉60 d前后的材料分别进行仅保留子房与胚珠处理)、浸蜡时间（18,24,36 h）与浸蜡条件（60 ℃烘箱内抽真空处理0,6,8,12 h）、切片厚度（6,8,10 μm）进行优化;在此基础上,以授粉70 d样品切片为材料,对染色方法（染色液分别为5 g/L苏木精、1 g/L甲苯胺蓝和10 g/L番红 固绿）及染色时间（1,2,5,10,15 min）进行优化,建立适合槲树胚珠的石蜡切片制备体系。【结果】授粉60 d前的样品仅保留子房部分,授粉60 d后的样品仅保留胚珠,两者在50 ℃烘箱经甘油乙醇浸泡48 h的软化处理后,所得切片效果最佳,可避免蜡带破裂等不良现象出现。将浸蜡时间延长至36 h,并于第1次浸纯蜡过程中在60 ℃烘箱内先进行12 h抽真空处理,可保证发育后期体积较大材料的充分浸蜡;脱蜡前将玻片进行3 h抽真空处理,可明显降低脱片率;授粉60 d前样品的切片厚度以8 μm为宜,授粉60 d及以后的样品以10 μm最佳。槲树胚株石蜡切片制备时,采用5 g/L苏木精染色5 min时的制片效果最好。【结论】建立并优化了槲树不同发育时期子房或胚珠石蜡切片的制备体系,采用该优化体系可获得蜡带连续、结构完整、染色均匀、背景清晰的槲树子房或胚珠切片。