Research Progress in Pollination Drops of Gymnosperms

doi:10.11983/CBB14192

Abstract

Abstract: Pollination drops (PDs), as secreted fluid, are produced by ovules and protrude from the micropyle during pollination and fertilization of gymnosperms. PDs play an important role in sexual reproduction, including pollen capture, pollen germination and fertilization. In this review, based on recent advances in PDs of gymnosperms and our recent progress in this field, we introduce in detail PD production, secretion behavior, components, PD withdrawal and PD function in gymnosperms. In particular, we highlight the role of PDs during wind pollination and fertilization and summarize the multiple roles in distinguishing or carrying pollen and promoting pollen germination, apart from the defense function to protect ovules from microbial infection. We describe existing problems in relation to future directions to reveal the molecular mechanism of pollen—PD interactions by biochemistry and molecular biology.

Li Wang, Fangmei Cheng, Yan Lu, Biao Jin. Research Progress in Pollination Drops of Gymnosperms[J]. Chinese Bulletin of Botany, 2015, 50(6): 802-812.

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URL: https://www.chinbullbotany.com/EN/10.11983/CBB14192

https://www.chinbullbotany.com/EN/Y2015/V50/I6/802

Figures/Tables 3

Figure 1 Ovular secretion in different gymnosperm species (A) Cycas (http://www.montgomerybotanical.org/Pages/Current.htm); (B) Ginkgo biloba (Jin et al., 2012c); (C) Pinus johannis (Flores-Rentería et al., 2013); (D) Juniperus communis (Nepi et al., 2009); (E) Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Coulter et al., 2012); (F) Cupressus sempervirens (Nepi et al., 2009); (G) Platycladus orientalis (Dörkena and Jagel, 2014); (H) Sequoiadendron giganteum (Takaso and Owens,1996b); (I) Pseudotsuga menziesii (Coulter et al., 2012); (J) Cephalotaxus harringtonia (https:// facultystaff.richmond.edu/~jhayden/landscape_plants/late_fall_woody_plants/Late Fall Woody Plants.html); (K) Podocarpus macrop- hyllus; (L) Taxus baccata (Nepi et al., 2009); (M) Taxus media (Coulter et al., 2012); (N) Welwitschia mirabilis (http://www.eoearth. org/view/article/51cbf2077896bb431f6a7979); (O) Ephedra antisyphilitica (http://nhc.asu.edu/vpherbarium/sbond/index.html). Bar=1 mm

Figure 2 Production and withdraw of pollination drops in gymnosperm(A) The differentiation and formation of nucellus and integument; (B) Before pollination, the micropyle do not open, female gametophyte begins to develop, and nucellus locates near the micropyle; (C) Pollination drops are secreted by nucellus, and exudate from micropyle; The components of pollination drops are sugar, amino acids, calcium and some functional proteins; (D) Pollination drops can distinguish self-pollen and eliminate foreign-pollen; Due to the stimulation of pollen grains, and the effect of outside light and air humidity, pollination drop can withdraw, nucellus tissue stop secreting pollination drops; (E) After pollination, pollen grains enter the ovule along with the pollination drop withdrawal, and micropyle gradually closes. A: Archegonia; I: Integument; PD: Pollination drop; M: Micropyle; N: Nucellus

Figure 3 Behavior of pollen from different species in the pollination drops of Ginkgo biloba (Jin et al., 2012c) (A) Pollen of insect-pollinated angiosperms (Paeonia suffruticosa); (B) Pollen of wind-pollinated angiosperms (Salix babylonica); (C) Saccate pollen of gymnosperm (Abies firma); (D) Non-saccate pollen of gymnosperm (Ginkgo biloba). P: Pollen; O: Ovule. Bar=1 mm

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