Self-compatible and-incompatible Reactions in Asiatic Hybrid Lilium X 'Enchantment': Influence of Pistil Age on Seed Set

Abstract

Cross-pollination (L. hybrid 'Enchantment' x L. maculatum Thunb.) was made before or after anthesis. The receptivity of pistils was observed from 6 days before anthesis (day-6) to 6 days after flowering (day +6). On crossing made on day 0, the number of mature seeds was 185 per capsule, whereas those on day + 2 yielded 236 seeds per capsule. Flowers self-pollinated on day 0 yielded no seeds, and the ratio of pollen-tube length / style-length in the pistil was 0.85. Numerous abnormal pollen tubes with swollen or deformed bulbous tips with delayed generative nuclear division were observed compared with flowers selfed on day +3. Self-pollinated flowers on day-3, -2, -1, +1, +2, +4, and +6 developed capsules. Capsules from day +6 flowers produced 46 mature seeds, whereas the others yielded only 13 to 27 seeds per capsule. These findings show that L. X 'Enchantment' is a relatively weak self-incompatible cultivar. When seeds resulting from flowers self-or cross-pollinated at different stages were planted, differences in germination time and final germination percentage were observed. Of the cross-pollinated mature seeds made on day 0, 75% germinated; of the self-pollinated seeds made on day + 2, 72% germinated, whereas those made on day + 6, only 44% germinated.