Effects of cadmium and copper on pollen germination and fruit set in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

In this work, pea (Pisum sativum) plants exposed to increasing cadmium and copper concentrations were tested for heavy metals accumulation in flowers and for ‘in vivo’ pollen germination. Based on the Cd and Cu accumulation amounts in the flowers, an evaluation of the same metals effects on ‘in vitro’ pollen germination was achieved. Moreover, the effects of both metals on fruits number and weight and on seed set and yield at individual plant level were examined. While cadmium concentrations did not affect ‘in vivo’ pollen germination, only higher copper concentrations rendered a significant reduction. This is in contrast with the clear negative effect on pollen germination in vitro and might be explained by the different dynamic and bioavailability of both metals. A clear effect of Cd and Cu was observed on two important yield components ie, fruit weight and seed set. Although results obtained herein cannot give a clear cut relationship between the effect of Ca and Cu on reproductive development and its consequences on yields, they represent emerging results on the potential consequences of metals contamination on reproductive development in plants.