Tomato plants use similar biochemical mechanisms to reject pollen from their own flowers as well as pollen from foreign but related plant species, thus guarding against both inbreeding and cross-species hybridization, report plant scientists at the University of California, Davis.
The researchers identified a tomato pollen gene that encodes a protein that is very similar to a protein thought to function in preventing self-pollination in petunias. The tomato gene also was shown to play a role in blocking cross-species fertilization, suggesting that similar biochemical mechanisms underlie the rejection of a plant’s own pollen as well as foreign pollen from another species…
“Flowering plants have several types of reproductive barriers to prevent accidental hybridization between species in nature,” Roger Chetelat said. “We have identified one piece of this puzzle, a gene that helps control whether or not tomato pollen is recognized and rejected by flowers of related wild species…
In plants, as well as animals, breeding between closely related individuals is generally considered detrimental because it leads to the expression of harmful mutations and leaves subsequent generations genetically ill equipped to deal with environmental changes or diseases.
And crossbreeding with individuals from different species can be equally detrimental because it frequently results in hybrid offspring that cannot reproduce…
Their findings suggest that the Cullin1 protein is part of a biochemical gatekeeper: An active form of the protein is required for pollen to fertilize plants of another species, if that species is capable of rejecting its own pollen.
Since this research opens another door to preventing some of the events feared by opponents of genetically modified plants, no doubt this and following research will be denied and ignored by purists that fear – even more – success that might offer access to sound nutrition at lower costs.
Farming for profit, providing easier access to sufficient nutritious food to people around the world – without living up to the bible of some organic prophet – is still considered a sin by some. Do I eat organic? Of course. It makes good sense. Do I eat conventional? Of course. It makes good sense – often.
Chetelat and Wentao Li are members of the multicenter Interspecific Reproductive Barriers in Tomato research group…More information about the research group is available here. Their haiku is a kick, too.
Eideard 