We have investigated the relative pollen‐shedding abilities of 11 hard red spring and 3 durum wheat varieties and the relationships between pollen‐shedding and other varietal characteristics. The varieties differed in amount of pollen shed, number of pollen grains/anther, percent anthers extruded, tillers/plot, fertile florets/plot, fertile florets/tiller, yield, and kernel weight. Anther extrusion varied from 72% for ‘Thatcher’ spring wheat to 22% for ‘Lakota’ durum wheat. Number of pollen grains/anther varied from 3,867 for ‘Rescue’ to 2,687 for ‘Fortuna’ spring wheat. The amount of pollen shed was positively correlated with percent anthers extruded and tillers/plot but negatively correlated with fertile florets/tiller. Path coefficient analysis indicated that percent anther extrusion had the largest direct effect on pollen shedding. Pollen shedding ability of a variety was predicted on the basis of percent anther extrusion, pollen grains/anther and fertile florets/plot.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Joppa et al. (1968) studied this question.