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JXB Advance Access published online on July 12, 2005
Journal of Experimental Botany, doi:10.1093/jxb/eri232
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© The Author [2005]. Published by Oxford University Press [on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology]. All rights reserved.
Received February 15, 2005
Accepted May 24, 2005

RESEARCH PAPER

Some physical properties of teosinte (Zea mays subsp. parviglumis) pollen

Donald E. Aylor 1*, Baltazar M. Baltazar 2, and John B. Schoper 3

1 Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06504, USA
2 Pioneer Hi-Bred International-Mexico, Camino Viejo a Valle de Banderas, Km. 3, No. 19, Tapachula, Nayarit, México
3 Pioneer Sementes Ltda. Unidade de Brasília, Rodovia DF 250, KM 20, Núcleo Rural Santos Dumont, Lote 50 Caixa Postal 8283, Planaltina, Brasilia, DF, Brazil

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Donald E. Aylor, E-mail: Donald.Aylor{at}po.state.ct.us


  Abstract

In parts of the world where teosinte and maize are grown in close proximity, there is concern about gene flow between them. Pollen is the primary vehicle for gene flow. Quantifying the biophysical properties of pollen, such as its settling speed and dehydration rate, is important for evaluating outcrossing potential. These properties were measured for teosinte (Zea mays subsp. parviglumis) pollen. Pollen was found to have an average settling speed of 0.165 m s-1, which agrees well with theoretical values based on the size of the pollen grains. The conductance of the pollen wall for water was derived from the time rate of change of pollen grain size and gave an average conductance of 3.42x10-4 m s-1. Water potential, {psi}, of teosinte pollen was determined at various values of relative water content (dry-weight basis), {theta}, by using a thermocouple psychrometer and by allowing samples of pollen to come to vapour equilibrium with various saturated salt solutions. Non-linear regression analysis of the data yielded {psi} (MPa) = -4.13 {theta}-1.23 (r2=0.77). Results for conductance and {psi} were incorporated into a model equation for the rate of water loss from pollen grains, which yielded results that agreed well (r2=0.96) with observations of water loss from pollen grains in air. The data reported here are important building blocks in a model of teosinte pollen movement and should be helpful in establishing the main factors influencing the degree and the direction of pollination between teosinte populations and between maize and teosinte.

Keywords: Aerial dispersal; genetically modified crops; gene-flow models; pollen viability; settling speed; survival; vapour pressure deficit; water content; water potential; Zea mays.
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