GAMETOPHYTIC SELECTION OF THE FUSED VEIN TRAIT IN SQUASH

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted to delineate gametophytic selection of the fused vein trait in Cucurbita pepo L. Gametophytic subvitality was verified by comparing fused vein and normal pollen tube growth. Microscopic examination of partitioned, co-pollinated flowers revealed fewer and slower growing fused vein tubes than normal. The effects of gametophytic subvitality on seed yield and inheritance were shown by manipulating the severity of reproductive competition. Fused vein, normal, and F1 lines were pollinated with fused vein, normal, 50:50 mix, and F1 pollen at three different pollen loads. Analysis showed that fused vein pollen generated significantly fewer seed per fruit in all lines. In ensuing F2 and testcross populations, a reduction in load and thus competition significantly increased the number of fused vein individuals. Leaf number and area for normal, fused vein, F1, F2, and testcross plants were assessed to test pleiotropic effects on growth common to gametophytic subvitals. Although normal and fused vein lines differed in leaf number and size, their total leaf areas were not significantly different. F2 and testcross plants showed no difference between normal and fused vein individuals; leaf size and number were independent of leaf morphology.