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TRACKING POLLEN FLOW OF SOLANUM ROSTRATUM (SOLANACEAE) USING BACKSCATTER SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY AND X‐RAY MICROANALYSIS
Author(s) -
Wolfe Andrea D.,
Estes James R.,
Chissoe William F.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1991.tb11429.x
Subject(s) - pollen , stamen , biology , botany , microanalysis , solanaceae , scanning electron microscope , materials science , chemistry , biochemistry , gene , organic chemistry , composite material
A technique using micronized metal powders was developed for both general labeling of pollen and marking of individual pollen grains. After labeling, pollen flow is analyzed by the use of backscatter scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray microanalysis. To test the efficiency and efficacy of the technique, we assessed differences in pollen distribution in Solanum rostratum , an enantiostylous species with dimorphic anthers which are putatively feeding and pollinating anthers. Pollen from each set of anthers was labeled using different micronized metal powders. We could not confirm the differentiation of functional anthers in S. rostratum. This technique provides an efficient and convenient method for tracking pollen movement within and between flowers, and anthers within a single blossom can be differentially marked.