Abstract
This thesis illustrates the effects of environmental factors on pollen performance and its importance on gene flow. Pollen competitive ability between the wild and cultivated species of four genera belonging to Cucurbitaceae family was compared to evaluate the evolutionary potential for selection on pollen tube growth rate. A possibility of hybrids formation between these species was also determined through hand pollination. Effects of herbivory and nutrients on pollen performance and female selection were determined in Cucumis sativus and N. alata. In addition, a study on flower colour inheritance on Nicotiana alata was carried out with the aim of obtaining a possible genetic marker for future gene flow studies.
Hybrids between wild and cultivated species were formed in some species of Cucurbitaceae indicating a higher possibility of gene flow. Differences in individual variations on pollen tube growth rate within and between species suggest that there is an evolutionary potential for selection on this trait. Herbivory and nutrient factors were found to have effects on pollen performance on Cucumis sativus and N. alata. The interaction of the two factors was also found to be significant. Nutrient was found to influence herbivory effect on pollen performance. Effects of genotype-by-environment interaction in cultivars of the studied species were observed. The study on the flower colour inheritance suggested that in some cultivars of N. alata, flower colour could be used as a morphological marker on gene flow studies.
Because pollen performance influences gene flow, an understanding of the factors affecting pollen performance is fundamental when conducting risk assessment studies. Since plants function the same way whether they are the result of natural selection, human selection, or gene modified, findings from cultivated plants or wild relatives will aid in assessing the environmental effects of all future introductions of GM crops.
Hybrids between wild and cultivated species were formed in some species of Cucurbitaceae indicating a higher possibility of gene flow. Differences in individual variations on pollen tube growth rate within and between species suggest that there is an evolutionary potential for selection on this trait. Herbivory and nutrient factors were found to have effects on pollen performance on Cucumis sativus and N. alata. The interaction of the two factors was also found to be significant. Nutrient was found to influence herbivory effect on pollen performance. Effects of genotype-by-environment interaction in cultivars of the studied species were observed. The study on the flower colour inheritance suggested that in some cultivars of N. alata, flower colour could be used as a morphological marker on gene flow studies.
Because pollen performance influences gene flow, an understanding of the factors affecting pollen performance is fundamental when conducting risk assessment studies. Since plants function the same way whether they are the result of natural selection, human selection, or gene modified, findings from cultivated plants or wild relatives will aid in assessing the environmental effects of all future introductions of GM crops.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Doctor |
| Awarding Institution |
|
| Supervisors/Advisors |
|
| Award date | 2005 Sept 21 |
| Publisher | |
| ISBN (Print) | 91-7105-227-5 |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Bibliographical note
Defence detailsDate: 2005-09-21
Time: 10:00
Place: Department of Ecology, Ecology Building, Sölvegatan 37, Lund
External reviewer(s)
Name: Olesen, Jens
Title: Dr.
Affiliation: Department of Ecology & Genetics Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark
---
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.
The record was previously connected to the following departments: Plant Ecology and Systematics (Closed 2011) (011004000)
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Ecology (including Biodiversity Conservation)
Free keywords
- Plant ecology
- siring ability
- risk assessment
- pollen germination
- pollen tube growth rate
- Nicotiana alata
- morphological markers
- Cucumis sativus
- Genetically modified crops hybridisation
- Växtekologi