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Flower developmental stage and organ sensitivity of bell pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) to elevated temperature
Author(s) -
Erickson A. N.,
Markhart A. H.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1046/j.0016-8025.2001.00807.x
Subject(s) - stamen , gynoecium , anthesis , microspore , pollen , biology , pepper , pollination , horticulture , botany , capsicum annuum , human fertilization , agronomy , cultivar
High temperatures adversely affect crop productivity of several plant species including bell pepper ( Capsicum annuum L. var. annuum ). The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine whether flower ontogeny is adversely affected by high temperature during different phases of development, including pre‐ and post‐pollination events; (2) to determine the duration of high temperature exposure necessary to cause reduction in fruit set; and (3) to determine whether injury to the pistil or stamen during development is responsible for reduced fruit set during high temperature. We determined that flower buds at <2·5 mm in length, corresponding to microspore mother cell meiosis to tetrad dissolution, and flowers that reached anthesis during the high temperature exposure had reduced fruit set when exposed to 33 °C for 48 or 120 h. Flower buds at <2·5 mm in length also had reduced pollen viability when exposed to 33 °C for 120 h. Morphological examination demonstrated that meiocytes initiated tetrad formation, but after dissolution the microspores remained small and clumped without a thick exine. High temperature exposure at a late‐development, pre‐anthesis stage did not affect pistil or stamen viability, but high post‐pollination temperatures inhibited fruit set, suggesting that fertilization is sensitive to high temperature stress.