Abstract: | Functional fragments of presumably a relictual gametophytic self-incompatibility system (GSI) linked with the loci determining flower type were discovered by genetic analysis of an unilateral pre-zygotic barrier between the short-styled (thrum) morph of a heterostylous cross-pollinated species, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench., and a self-pollinator with homostylous flowers, F. homotropicum Ohnishi (asseccion C9139). The relic genes of GSI were revealed only in interspecific crosses. However, this is a direct experimental confirmation of a hypothesis proposed by Lewis (1954) which combined the heterostyly supergene components (G, P and A) with "pistil" and "pollen" parts of the S-locus of homomorphic self-incompatibility systems (I1 and I2). Also, this result provides strong evidence for the evolution of heterostyly upon the ruins of a gametophytic self-incompatibility system. |