Fertilization and rejection of spermatozoids by egg cells in artificially pollinated ovules ofEncephalartos (Zamiaceae)

The structure and behaviour of free female, male and proembryonal nuclei ofEncephalartos villosus Lem. were studied during a light-microscopical investigation of serially sectioned archegonia in successfully pollinated ovules. Before spermatozoids were released from the pollen tubes into the archegonial chamber, the ventral canal nucleus had disintegrated in the neck region of the egg cell among minute, amoeboid bodies with PAS-positive granules. In archegonia containing multiple spermatozoids, the egg nucleus was unobtrusive and syngamy followed by proembryo formation regularly resulted. The egg cell usually reacted violently in archegonia penetrated by a single spermatozoid. These reactions were regarded as rejection phenomena and considered as indicators that the egg cell can differentiate between compatible and incompatible male gametes.     

Structure and function of the neck cell during fertilization in Ginkgo biloba L.

Key message

Neck cells in Ginkgo biloba contribute to archegonial opening through morphological changes and might be involved in the production of fertilization liquid to attract spermatozoids toward archegonia.

Abstract

Neck cells are an essential part of the archegonium in archegoniate gymnosperms, but their function in the sexual reproductive process remains unclear, particularly in zoidogamous gymnosperms. To clarify the structural characteristics of neck cells and their role in fertilization, we examined the neck cells of Ginkgo biloba L. by means of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The two curved inner neck cells, which are covered imbricately by the two turgid outer neck cells, were pushed to two sides during fertilization, which indicated that morphological changes in these cells contribute to archegonial opening. The neck cells contained many secretory organelles with some material accumulated outside the cell wall, thus the neck cells might be involved in the production of fertilization liquid to attract spermatozoids toward the archegonium. In addition, the surrounding surface cells of the female gametophyte also cooperate to produce the liquid. Taken together, these results indicate that the neck cells provide an effective mechanism by which zoidogamous gymnosperms achieve reproductive success through altering the morphology and cellular physiology of the neck cells.     

CYTOLOGICAL BASIS FOR CYTOPLASMIC INHERITANCE IN PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII. I. POLLEN TUBE AND ARCHEGONIAL DEVELOPMENT

Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) ovules were used to study the method of pollen tube formation and penetration of the nucellus, the movement of the body cell down the pollen tube and development of the archegonia. No pollination drop forms but nucellar tip cells produce a minute secretion that may initiate pollen tube formation. Pollen tubes penetrate the nucellus causing degeneration of nucellar cells in contact with the pollen tube tip. The body cell becomes highly lobed and the tube cytoplasm forms thin sheets between the lobes. This may be the mechanism by which the large body cell is pulled down the narrow pollen tube. Body cell plastids and mitochondria remain unaltered during pollen tube growth, whereas tube cell organelles show signs of degeneration. The pollen tube penetrates the megaspore wall and settles in the archegonial chamber. During pollen elongation and pollen tube growth the egg matured. Egg cell plastids were transformed into large inclusions which filled the periphery of the egg while mitochondria migrated to the perinuclear zone. The neck cells, ventral canal cell and archegonial jacket cells are described. The significance of the body cell and egg cell ultrastructure is discussed in light of recent restriction fragment length polymorphism studies of plastid and mitochondrial inheritance in the Pinaceae.     

Attractive and repulsive interactions between female and male gametophytes in Arabidopsis pollen tube guidance

Sexual reproduction in plants, unlike that of animals, requires the action of multicellular haploid gametophytes. The male gametophyte (pollen tube) is guided to a female gametophyte through diploid sporophytic cells in the pistil. While interactions between the pollen tube and diploid cells have been described, little is known about the intercellular recognition systems between the pollen tube and the female gametophyte. In particular, the mechanisms that enable only one pollen tube to interact with each female gametophyte, thereby preventing polysperm, are not understood. We isolated female gametophyte mutants named magatama (maa) from Arabidopsis thaliana by screening for siliques containing half the normal number of mature seeds. In maa1 and maa3 mutants, in which the development of the female gametophyte was delayed, pollen tube guidance was affected. Pollen tubes were directed to mutant female gametophytes, but they lost their way just before entering the micropyle and elongated in random directions. Moreover, the mutant female gametophytes attracted two pollen tubes at a high frequency. To explain the interaction between gametophytes, we propose a monogamy model in which a female gametophyte emits two attractants and prevents polyspermy. This prevention process by the female gametophyte could increase a plant's inclusive fitness by facilitating the fertilization of sibling female gametophytes. In addition, repulsion between pollen tubes might help prevent polyspermy. The reproductive isolations observed in interspecific crosses in Brassicaceae are also consistent with the monogamy model.     

Western white pine (Pinus monticola Dougl.) reproduction: I. Gametophyte development

Male and female gametophyte development are described from light and transmission electron microscope preparations of ovules from first and second year Pinus monticola Dougl. seed cones. In the first year of development, pollen tubes penetrate about one-third the distance through the nucellus. The generative cell and tube nucleus move into the pollen tube. The megagametophyte undergoes early free nuclear division. First-year seed cones and pollen tubes become dormant in mid-July. In the second year, seed cones and pollen tubes resume development in April and the pollen tubes grow to the megagametophyte by mid-June. Early in June the generative cell undergoes mitosis, forming two equal-size sperm nuclei that remain within the generative cell cytoplasm. The generative cell has many extensions and abundant mitochondria and plastids. The megagametophyte resumes free nuclear division, then cell wall formation begins in early July. Cell wall formation and megagametophyte development follow the pattern found in other Pinaceae. Three to five archegonial initials form. The primary neck cell divides, forming one tier of neck cells. Jacket cells differentiate around each central cell. The central cell enlarges and becomes vacuolate; then vacuoles decrease in size and the cell divides, forming a small ventral canal cell and a large egg. Plastids in the central cell engulf large amounts of cytoplasm and enlarge. This process continues in the egg, and the peripheral cytoplasm of the egg becomes filled with transformed plastids. Mitochondria migrate around the nucleus, forming a perinuclear zone. The wide area of egg cytoplasm between these two zones has few organelles. A modified terminology for cells involved in microgametophyte development is recommended. Received: 9 December 1999 / Revision accepted: 30 April 2000     

She's the boss: signaling in pollen tube reception

In angiosperms, the sperm cells are carried within the pollen tubes (male gametophytes) to the female gametophyte so that double fertilization can occur. The female gametophyte exerts control over the male, with specialized cells known as synergids guiding the pollen tubes and controlling their behavior when they enter the female gametophyte so that the sperm cells can be delivered to the egg and central cell. Upon pollen tube arrival at the ovule, signal transduction cascades mediated by receptor-like kinases are initiated in both the synergid and the tip of the pollen tube, leading to synergid cell death and pollen tube rupture. In this review, we discuss the role of these receptors and of newly discovered members of the pollen tube reception pathway.     

Evidence for intergeneric incompatibility in ferns

The archegonial mucilage ofAthyrium filix-femina andA. distentifolium paralyses spermatozoids ofDryopteris filix-mas (and in one caseD. inaequalis) before they penetrate the archegonial venter. The archegonial mucilage ofDryopteris filix-mas has a weak positive chemotactic influence on the spermatozoids of the twoAthyrium species. The spermatozoids ofDryopteris were never observed in the archegonia ofAthyrium. Incompatibility was not observed within and between the twoAthyrium species, withinDryopteris filix-mas or betweenAthyrium filix-femina and twoAsplenium species.Contribution No. 327.     

The Embryogeny of Cryptomeria fortunei

The embryogeny of Cryptomeria fortunei was observed. By the middle of March the nucleus of functioning megaspore divides twelve times to form about 3000–4000 free nuclear female gametophyte. Wall formation is centripetal. By the end of May the archegonial complex containing 12–16 archegonia surrounded by jacket layer is present at the micropylar end of the gametophyte. The pollen grains are shed at the uninucleate stage. After pollination the pollen grains swell. The microspore nucleus moves to one side and divides to form a large generative nucleus and a small tube nucleus, The generative cell then divides to form a body cell and a stalk cell. When the pollen tube passed through the nucellus and reached the archegonial complex the nucleus of the body cell divides to form two male cells, generally only one of which enters the arehegonium and the fertilization takes place in the upper part of an egg cell. A number of eggs in an archegonial complex may be fertilized. After the fusion of the male nucleus with the egg nucleus, the zygote divides three times to form eight nuclei, which become organized into primary embryo cells and the open tier. The former are only two or three cells, while the latter has five or six cells open towards the top and divides to form the prosuspensor tier and the upper tier. Thus, the pro-embryo of Cryptomeria belongs to the standard type, according to Doyle (1963). Excepting the simple polyembryony, the cleavage polyembryony is a common character in the embryogeny of Cryptomeria. The mature embryo consists of the radicle, the hypocotyl, the plumule and three cotyledons. When the embryogeny of Cryptomeria fortunei is compared with that of C. japonica, there are many differences obtained. The number of archegonia in the archegonial complex of C. fortunei is less than that of C. japonica. The former does not form the archegonial chamber and the chalazal and lateral archegonia, while the latter does.     

The Gametophytes and Fertilization in Pseudotaxus

The development of the gametophytes and fertilization of Pseudotaxus chienii Cheng has been investigated. Pollination first occurred on April 17 (1964). The pollen grains shed at the uninucleate stage and germination on the nucellus is almost immediate. The pollen tubes approached the freenucleate female gametophyte about May 5. The spermatogenous cell is continuously enlarging with the growth of the pollen tube and two unequal sperms are formed after its division. Occasionally the small sperm may divide further into two smaller ones. During pollination the megaspore mother cell is in meiosis and 3 or 4 megaspores are formed. Generally 2 or 3 megaspores at the micropylar end are going to degenerate while the chalaza] megaspore is rapidly enlarging. After 8 successive simultaneous divisions of the functional megaspore 256 free nuclei are resulted and they are evenly distributed at the bulge of the famale gametophyte. Then the wall formation follows. Sometimes there are more than two, even as many as 5–6 gametophytes developed within a single ovule. The archegonial initials become differentiated at the apical end of the female gametophyte. They are usually single and apical, rarely lateral in position. The number of the archegonia vary from 3 to 7, usually 4–6. There are 2–8 neck cells in each archegonium which is surrounded by a layer of jacket cells. The central cell divided about May 20–26 (1964) and the division of the central cell gives rise to the egg and the ventral canal nucleus, the latter being degenerated soon. There are many proteid vacuoles near the nucleus of the matured egg. The fertilization took place about May 23–26 (1964). At first, the pollen tube discharges its contents into the egg, then the larger sperm fuses with the egg nucleus in the middle part of the archegonium. At the same time the male cytoplasm also fuses with the female cytoplasm and a layer of densely-staining neocytoplasm is formed around the fused nucleus. The smaller sperm, tube nucleus and sterile cell usually remain in the cytoplasm above the egg nucleus for some time. Based upon the observations of the development of the gametophytes and fertilization the authors conclude that Pseudotaxus is more close related to Taxus than any other member of Taxaceae.     

Development of ovulate cones from initiation of reproductive buds to fertilization in Cephalotaxus wilsoniana Hay

Cephalotaxus wilsoniana Hay, is endemic to Taiwan. This study was performed morphologically and anatomically to investigate reproduction in this species for the purpose of conservation. The duration from reproductive bud formation to fertilization in C. wilsoniana lasts about one year and five months. Buds are initiated in late January and differentiate into one vegetative bud and 3 female cones in late February. A female cone is constructed with 4 pairs of decussate opposite bracts. A small ridge-like secondary axis sits on the axil of each bract. Two ovules are borne on both sides of each secondary axis. A lysogenous pollen chamber begins to be formed from the degenerative tissues on the top end of the nucellus in early March. In late March the megasporogenous tissue is differentiated in the core center of the nucellus, and the micropyle closes gradually after pollination. By late July, pollen tubes have developed in the pollen chamber, and the megaspore mother cell appears. Then the functional megaspore becomes active in mid-October. The 8 free nucleate macrogametophyte appears in late December. From January to late March of the following year, the elliptical cyst-like female gametophyte keeps growing through continuous divisions of its free nuclei. The cyst layer of protoplast thickens in early April. In mid-April, cell walls begin to form among free nuclei. The archegonia are initiated in late April. Pollen tubes extend their tips to the macrogametophyte in early May, and each tube with 2 spermatozoids reaches a mature archegonium with an egg needed to perform fertilization in late May. Generally, only 1-(3) ovules in each cone can become mature.     

Maternal Control of Male-Gamete Delivery in Arabidopsis Involves a Putative GPI-Anchored Protein Encoded by the LORELEI Gene

In Angiosperms, the male gametes are delivered to the female gametes through the maternal reproductive tissue by the pollen tube. Upon arrival, the pollen tube releases the two sperm cells, permitting double fertilization to take place. Although the critical role of the female gametophyte in pollen tube reception has been demonstrated, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we describe lorelei, an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant impaired in sperm cell release, reminiscent of the feronia/sirène mutant. Pollen tubes reaching lorelei embryo sacs frequently do not rupture but continue to grow in the embryo sac. Furthermore, lorelei embryo sacs continue to attract additional pollen tubes after arrival of the initial pollen tube. The LORELEI gene is expressed in the synergid cells prior to fertilization and encodes a small plant-specific putative glucosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein (GAP). These results provide support for the concept of signaling mechanisms at the synergid cell membrane by which the female gametophyte recognizes the arrival of a compatible pollen tube and promotes sperm release. Although GAPs have previously been shown to play critical roles in initiation of fertilization in mammals, flowering plants appear to have independently evolved reproductive mechanisms that use the unique features of these proteins within a similar biological context.     

银杏雌性生殖器官发育过程的显微观察

对银杏(Ginkgo biloba)雌性生殖器官的发育过程进行了连续显微观察.结果表明:功能大孢子经过大约1个月的分裂形成约5000个游离核后开始细胞化.授粉后约45天近珠孔端两侧各产生1个颈卵器母细胞.授粉后约50天.颈卵器母细胞平周分裂形成初生颈细胞和中央细胞.授粉后约55天,初生颈细胞垂周分裂形成2个扁平状次生颈细胞,之后次生颈细胞体积逐渐增大并突入颈卵器腔.授粉后约130天,2个次生颈细胞斜向分裂形成4个颈细胞,中央细胞不均等分裂形成腹沟细胞和卵细胞.套细胞起源于颈卵器母细胞的周围细胞,授粉后70天至受精作用发生前,套细胞内不断积累营养物质,且套细胞与中央细胞间的细胞壁以及套细胞之间角隅处的细胞壁均出现明显增厚现象.在受精及胚胎早期发育过程中,套细胞内营养物质逐渐消失,细胞逐渐解体.授粉后55天,2个颈卵器之间的一些细胞向上突起形成帐篷柱,之后帐篷柱体积逐渐增加,并突入颈卵器腔.自授粉后120天至受精前帐篷柱细胞内开始积累大量营养物质,随后这些营养物质在受精过程中被逐渐消耗.到了原胚游离核后期,帐篷柱的顶端细胞发生变形并解体.     

银杏雌性生殖器官发育过程的显微观察

对银杏(Ginkgo biloba)雌性生殖器官的发育过程进行了连续显微观察。结果表明: 功能大孢子经过大约1个月的分裂形成约5 000个游离核后开始细胞化。授粉后约45天近珠孔端两侧各产生1个颈卵器母细胞。授粉后约50天, 颈卵器母细胞 平周分裂形成初生颈细胞和中央细胞。授粉后约55天, 初生颈细胞垂周分裂形成2个扁平状次生颈细胞, 之后次生颈细胞体积逐渐增大并突入颈卵器腔。授粉后约130天, 2个次生颈细胞斜向分裂形成4个颈细胞, 中央细胞不均等分裂形成腹沟细胞和卵细胞。套细胞起源于颈卵器母细胞的周围细胞, 授粉后70天至受精作用发生前, 套细胞内不断积累营养物质, 且套细胞与中央细胞间的细胞壁以及套细胞之间角隅处的细胞壁均出现明显增厚现象。在受精及胚胎早期发育过程中, 套细胞内营养物质逐渐消失, 细胞逐渐解体。授粉后55天, 2个颈卵器之间的一些细胞向上突起形成帐篷柱, 之后帐篷柱体积逐渐增加, 并突入颈卵器腔。自授粉后120天至受精前帐篷柱细胞内开始积累大量营养物质, 随后这些营养物质在受精过程中被逐渐消耗。到了原胚游离核后期, 帐篷柱的顶端细胞发生变形并解体。     

日本蹄盖蕨配子体发育的研究

采用混和土培养日本蹄盖蕨(Athyrium niponicum)孢子,显微镜下观察记录其孢子萌发及配子体发育过程。结果表明:孢子黑褐色,赤道面豆形,极面观椭圆形,单裂缝。播种7 d左右孢子萌发,萌发类型为向心型,配子体发育为铁线蕨型。丝状体7~11细胞时开始发育为片状体。播种14 d后发育形成幼原叶体,成熟原叶体呈心脏形。原叶体边缘可产生单细胞毛状体。播种后20 d左右精子器出现,精子器近圆球形,由3细胞组成。7 d后颈卵器出现,成熟颈卵器3~5层细胞高。精卵受精后14 d左右即可观察到从原叶体上生成的幼胚。     

樟子松大孢子的发生和雌配子体的形成过程

樟子松大孢子母细胞经一系列变化,发育成雌配子体。在哈尔滨地区樟子松大孢子母细胞于每年6月8～14日形成,接着进行减数分裂,于6月16～20日形成大孢子。随着大孢子核的分裂,进入游离核时期,并于次年5月28日～6月4日形成细胞壁,幼雌配子体中出现颈卵器原始细胞,它分裂一次形成颈细胞和中央细胞。6月7～9日中央细胞分裂成卵细胞和腹沟细胞,6月13～15日颈卵器发育成熟。成熟的颈卵器含有颈细胞、腹沟细胞和卵细胞,但颈细胞和腹沟细胞已经退化。     

Cytokinin receptors in sporophytes are essential for male and female functions in Arabidopsis thaliana

Arabidopsis has three cytokinin receptors genes: CRE1, AHK2 and AHK3. Availability of plants that are homozygous mutant for these three genes indicates that cytokinin receptors in the haploid cells are dispensable for the development of male and female gametophytes. The triple mutants form a few flowers but never set seed, indicating that reproductive growth is impaired. We investigated which reproductive processes are affected in the triple mutants. Anthers of mutant plants contained fewer pollen grains and did not dehisce. Pollen in the anthers completed the formation of the one vegetative nucleus and the two sperm nuclei, as seen in wild type. The majority of the ovules were abnormal: 78% lacked the embryo sac, 10% carried a female gametophyte that terminated its development before completing three rounds of nuclear division, and about 12% completed three rounds of nuclear division but the gametophytes were smaller than those of the wild type. Reciprocal crosses between the wild type and the triple mutants indicated that pollen from mutant plants did not germinate on wild-type stigmas, and wild-type pollen did not germinate on mutant stigmas. These results suggest that cytokinin receptors in the sporophyte are indispensable for anther dehiscence, pollen maturation, induction of pollen germination by the stigma and female gametophyte formation and maturation.Key words: cytokinin, cytokinin receptor, female gametophyte, male gametophyte, stigma     

In vitro pollen tube growth and penetration of female gametophyte in Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

 Pollen tube and female gametophyte interactions in Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were examined in vitro. Formation of pollen tubes in Douglas fir occurred on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium in which concentrations of H₃BO₃ and Ca(NO₃)₂ were altered and supplemented with sucrose and polyethylene glycol. Addition of 100 μg/ml H₃BO₃ and 300 μg/ml Ca(NO₃)₂ resulted in optimum pollen viability. Lack of H₃BO₃ inhibited pollen tube formation. Addition of H₃BO₃ and Ca(NO₃)₂ significantly increased pollen tube formation within one week in culture. Using a medium supplemented with mannitol, viability of Douglas fir pollen can be sustained for 7 weeks in culture, about the same length of time as in vivo. However, pollen tubes are not formed. This suggests that the factors responsible for tube formation reside in the external environment of the pollen. Culture of female gametophytes to examine egg viability and longevity had not been done previously. We found that egg viability in culture is short-lived, and therefore the window to study and manipulate events of fertilization in Douglas fir is very limited. In spite of this, about 7% of the female gametophytes that were co-cultured became penetrated by pollen tubes. In vitro archegonial penetration has been repeatedly achieved, but pollen tubes also penetrated other parts of the female gametophytes. Pollen tubes also penetrated non-viable eggs. Most female gametophytes were not penetrated because of pollen tube branching and swelling, failure of tubes to orient towards the female gametophytes, or premature pollen tube death due to plasmolysis. This report outlines the first attempt towards in vitro fertilization in conifers. Received: 13 March 1997 / Revision accepted: 6 June 1997     

Distinct short-range ovule signals attract or repel Arabidopsis thaliana pollen tubes in vitro

Background  

Pollen tubes deliver sperm after navigating through flower tissues in response to attractive and repulsive cues. Genetic analyses in maize and Arabidopsis thaliana and cell ablation studies in Torenia fournieri have shown that the female gametophyte (the 7-celled haploid embryo sac within an ovule) and surrounding diploid tissues are essential for guiding pollen tubes to ovules. The variety and inaccessibility of these cells and tissues has made it challenging to characterize the sources of guidance signals and the dynamic responses they elicit in the pollen tubes.     

Histology of sterile male and female cones in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pinus monticola</Emphasis> (western white pine)

Two years of histological samples were collected from a Pinus monticola Dougl. (western white pine) tree identified as not producing mature pollen or seed cones. Anatomical information was collected to the ultrastructural level, to assess possible mechanisms for pollen and cone abortion resulting in sterility. Development of male and female gametophytes in the sterile western white pine tree was arrested after meiosis and before further cell divisions could take place. Sterile male gametophytes (pollen grains) had poorly developed pollen walls and sacci, reduced and degenerative cytoplasm, and no evidence of stored starch grains. The pollen cone aborted prior to pollen dehiscence. Meiosis of the megaspore mother cell in the ovule produced four megaspores, but development was stopped at the functional megaspore stage. The seed cone aborted in the first year of growth before winter dormancy. Tapetal tissue in sterile microsporangia appeared similar to that of fertile microsporangia, until the vacuolate, uninucleate microspore stage. Tapetal cells and thecal fluid surrounding the sterile microspores persisted well past the time when microsporangia on fertile trees started the process of maturation and desiccation. At pollen dehiscence, sterile pollen cones did not release any pollen and the microsporangia were filled with a sticky fluid. The behaviour of the tapetum in P. monticola sterile cones is compared with reports of tapetal function and malfunction reported in studies of angiosperm and other gymnosperm species. The occurrence and timing of gametophyte abortion in both cone sexes suggests a genetic rather than environmental basis for the sterility mechanism.     

Defensin-Like ZmES4 Mediates Pollen Tube Burst in Maize via Opening of the Potassium Channel KZM1

In contrast to animals and lower plant species, sperm cells of flowering plants are non-motile and are transported to the female gametes via the pollen tube, i.e. the male gametophyte. Upon arrival at the female gametophyte two sperm cells are discharged into the receptive synergid cell to execute double fertilization. The first players involved in inter-gametophyte signaling to attract pollen tubes and to arrest their growth have been recently identified. In contrast the physiological mechanisms leading to pollen tube burst and thus sperm discharge remained elusive. Here, we describe the role of polymorphic defensin-like cysteine-rich proteins ZmES1-4 (Zea mays embryo sac) from maize, leading to pollen tube growth arrest, burst, and explosive sperm release. ZmES1-4 genes are exclusively expressed in the cells of the female gametophyte. ZmES4-GFP fusion proteins accumulate in vesicles at the secretory zone of mature synergid cells and are released during the fertilization process. Using RNAi knock-down and synthetic ZmES4 proteins, we found that ZmES4 induces pollen tube burst in a species-preferential manner. Pollen tube plasma membrane depolarization, which occurs immediately after ZmES4 application, as well as channel blocker experiments point to a role of K⁺-influx in the pollen tube rupture mechanism. Finally, we discovered the intrinsic rectifying K⁺ channel KZM1 as a direct target of ZmES4. Following ZmES4 application, KZM1 opens at physiological membrane potentials and closes after wash-out. In conclusion, we suggest that vesicles containing ZmES4 are released from the synergid cells upon male-female gametophyte signaling. Subsequent interaction between ZmES4 and KZM1 results in channel opening and K⁺ influx. We further suggest that K⁺ influx leads to water uptake and culminates in osmotic tube burst. The species-preferential activity of polymorphic ZmES4 indicates that the mechanism described represents a pre-zygotic hybridization barrier and may be a component of reproductive isolation in plants.