Pollen fertility and its importance in the efficiency of seed setting in sugar cane breeding
| MSI99P1593 | |
| Mangar, M. | |
| University of Mauritius, School of Agriculture, Réduit | |
| Pollen fertility and its importance in the efficiency of seed setting in sugar cane breeding | |
| Project, BSc (Hons), Crop Science and Production | |
| Thesis | |
| 1994 | |
| 63 p.: 14 tbls,4 figs,12 pl.,4 appen. | |
| En | |
| En | |
| In sugarcane breeding programs conducted at the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute, a high percentage failure in seed setting is usually observed. For the period 1990-1993, this failure ranged from 23-35 per cent. The success or failure of seed setting in sugarcane is largely dependent on the fertility levels of the pollen of varieties being chosen for crossing. Pollen staining techniques using Alexander stain were used to determine fertility levels of Saccharum species and derived interspecific hybrids and to relate s tainability of a number of male varieties with seed setting. The studies revealed that the pattern of fe rtility, determined on panicles emerged at 20cm from the leaf blade joint, decreased from tip of the panicle to its base. Although highest fertility was obtained at the tip of the panicle, it was more stable at the position corresponding to 20cm from the tip of the p anicle. Pollen fertility was found to vary both within and between each group of Saccharum species and derived hybrids. S. spontaneum had the highest fertility levels whereas the F1 (Commercial hybrids x S. spontaneum) was the least fertile group. Pollen stainability was found to be positively correlated to seed setting. The relationship between pollen fertility and seed setting followed a quadratic response. However, the relative fertility of the female varieties, the quantity and quality of the pollen and/or other factors (genetical or environmental) might set a limit to seed setting. | |
| SUGARCANE FERTILITY POLLEN POLLEN VIABILITY SEEDS BREEDING | |
| MAURITIUS | |
| Cane breeding and genetic improvement | |
| 1994-08-02 | |
| En | |
| LIB | |
| CAT | |
| PB |