POLLEN INTERFERENCE AND CRYPTIC SELF‐FERTILITY IN CAMPSIS RADICANS

Abstract

The effect of self pollen on the success of cross pollinations was studied in Campsis radicans (L.) Seem., a species previously considered self‐sterile. The application of self pollen to stigmas in combination with or preceding the application of cross pollen markedly reduced the likelihood of fruit production. This effect was not due to the dilution of cross pollen nor to physical blocking of the stigmatic surface, since mixtures of talc and cross pollen were as effective as pure cross pollen in causing fruit production. Pollen tubes produced by self pollen grew at rates similar to those from cross pollen, and penetrated the ovary. The interference caused by self pollen appears to take place in the ovary, although it cannot be stated to what degree it is prezygotic or postzygotic. The marked protandry occurring in C. radicans is presumed to be due at least partly to selection for avoidance of these negative effects on female reproductive success. Up to 33% of viable seeds from mixed self + cross pollinations were sired by self pollen. The term “cryptic self‐fertility” is coined to describe this phenomenon where pollination with loads of pure self pollen rarely or never yields fruit, but pollination using mixtures of self and cross pollen yields fruit containing considerable numbers of selfed seed. Estimates of selfing frequency that are based on pollination using loads of purely self pollen will be in error for species possessing cryptic self‐fertility.