X-RAY INACTIVATION OF THE STYLAR COMPONENT OF THE SELF-INCOMPATIBILITY REACTION IN LILIUM LONGIFLORUM

Abstract

Styles of self-incompatible Lilium longiflorum cultivars were X-irradiated to determine the effect on subsequent pollen tube growth. Incompatible pollen tube growth rate in styles exposed to 24 to 70 kr prior to pollination was as high as that of compatible tubes growing in untreated styles. No effect was detected following 6 kr or less; following 6 kr to 24 kr there was a corresponding increase in growth rate. The growth rate of compatible tubes was unaffected by X-irradiation of the styles. Inactivation of the stylar component of the incompatibility reaction by X-irradiation provides a method for obtaining self-seed as well as a possible means of exploring the biochemical nature of this pollen-style interaction.