Effect of Stigma Mutilation on Oat Seed Set1

Abstract

The effect of deliberate stigma mutilation on seed set of oats (Arena spp.) was investigated. Portions of one or both stigma branches were removed in the three mutilation treatments used in both self‐pollination and approach‐cross experiments. Minor stigma damage had little effect, while more severe damage caused significant reductions in seed set under the conditions of high humidity and moderate temperatures prevailing during these studies. Even in the most severe treatment, in which an entire stigma branch was removed, the seed set on approach crosses averaged 58.7% for 228 mutilated florets, which would be considered “good” by most oat breeders.These results indicate that minor accidental damage to stigmas during emasculation probably has little effect on the success obtained under conditions favorable for hybridization. Other factors such as temperature and humidity undoubtedly are more important.