Simulated microgravity affects directional growth of pollen tubes in candidate space crops

Abstract

BackgroundLong-term space missions will necessarily require producing viable seeds to be used for plant cultivation over time under altered gravity conditions. Pollen is known to play a key role in determining seed and fruit production over seed-to-seed cycles, but very few studies have evaluated pollen functionality under altered gravity.MethodsWe performed ground-based experiments to test how simulated microgravity can affect the directional growth of pollen tubes as a potential bottleneck in seed and fruit sets. The effect of clinorotation was assessed in the pollen of Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. ‘Micro-Tom’ and Brassica rapa L. var. silvestris, both eligible for cultivation in space. Pollen tube length and tortuosity were compared under 1g and simulated microgravity with a uniaxial clinostat.ResultsThe main results highlighted that simulated microgravity significantly increased pollen tube length and tortuosity compared to 1g conditions. Further, clinorotation prompted a differential effect on pollen germination between S. lycopersicum and B. rapa. A more in-depth analysis evaluating the effect of gravity on the directional growth of pollen tubes excluded gravitropic responses as responsible for the tube tip position reached after germination.DiscussionThis research provides new insights into how altered gravity can interfere with plant reproduction and, in particular, microgametophyte functionality. Our findings represent a basis for further studies aimed at understanding the effect of real microgravity on plant reproduction and developing countermeasures to ensure seed-to-seed cultivation in long-term space missions and achieve self-sufficiency in food supplies from Earth.