ISSN:
1432-2145
Keywords:
Key words Gene flow
;
Bee pollination
;
Almond
;
Cross-pollination
;
Enpollination
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Honeybee-assisted gene flow by pollen is of enormous benefit to world food production. Molecular genetic markers were used to detect the pollen-contributing parent in embryos of seeds after fruit set and, subsequently, to deduce the direction and distance of gene flow by pollen as assisted by bees in an almond orchard. It was shown that gene flow by pollen resulting in nut set takes place most strongly between neighbouring sides of adjacent cross-compatible pairs of trees. Examination of pellets extracted from pollen traps fitted to hives for the isozyme markers showed that most of the pellets were composed of pollen from only one cultivar or another, in accord with the hypothesis that the honeybee predominantly visits only one cultivar, either single trees or along rows of one cultivar, and that cross-pollination results from accidental or rare visits involving two cultivars. The results suggest that orchards should be designed to bring cross-compatible pairs of cultivars as close together as possible.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004970050058
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