Microscopic observation and hormone-targeted metabolomic analysis provide insights into the reproductive barriers of distant hybridization between Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi and subgenus Pentanthera

Key Points

• Microscopic observation reveals distinct reproductive barriers between Rhododendron subgenerae, affecting hybrid viability.
• The analysis of hormonal pathways identifies specific metabolites linked to reproductive success, suggesting important compatibility factors.
• Assessment using metabolomic analysis highlights differences in metabolic profiles between hybrids and their parental species.
• These findings may enable improved understanding of hybridization processes in plants, where genetic limitations are evident.