Variation in pollen production and pollen viability in natural populations of gynodioecious Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima: evidence for a cost of restoration of male function?

摘要: Gynodioecious species are defined by the co-occurrence of two clearly separated categories plants: females and hermaphrodites. The hermaphroditic category may, however, not be homogeneous, as male fitness may vary among hermaphrodites a result many biological factors. In this study, we analysed estimates pollen quantity viability in gynodioecious Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima, comparing bearing male-fertile cytotype cytoplasmic sterility (CMS) genes, which counteracted nuclear restoration We show that: (i) continuously varies restored hermaphrodites, suggesting complex genetic determination restoration; (ii) was lower than non-CMS probably because incomplete some these plants; (iii) also varied with cytotypes, possibly silent cost restoration. Finally, discuss consequences results for flow dynamics gynodioecy.