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Genotypic variation for reproductive characters, and the influence of pollen‐ovule ratio on selfing rate in rape seed ( Brassica napus )
Author(s) -
Damgaard Christian,
Loeschcke Volker
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.289
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1420-9101
pISSN - 1010-061X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1420-9101.1994.7050599.x
Subject(s) - biology , selfing , ovule , pollen , gynoecium , stamen , botany , brassica , population , pollen source , horticulture , pollination , pollinator , demography , sociology
Abstract The variance component for genotypic effects and covariable plant vigor were estimated for pollen production, number of ovules, the weight of the flower without anther sacs and pistil, and the gender of the whole plant, in the rape seed variety Topas. There was a significant effect of the genotype for all measured characters. We did not find any trade‐off between the male and female functions. Small plants were relatively more male‐biased than large plants. The weight of the flower without anther sacs or pistil was positively correlated with pollen production. The selfing rates of the lines were positively correlated with the pollen‐ovule ratio, suggesting that the selfing rate of individual plants is positively correlated with pollen‐ovule ratio, thus supporting the “mass‐action” model. It is proposed that the observed increase in the population selfing rate during the flowering season for some species, including rape seed, can be caused by an overall decrease in male investment.