Mechanisms of self-incompatible and compatible pollen responses in the brassica family

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In flowering plants, fertilization and seed development rely on successful interactions between the pollen (male) and the pistil (female). Plants cannot control pollination (the process of pollen landing on the pistil) and need the ability to recognize which pollen should be accepted for fertilization. The Goring research group studies pollen recognition systems in the crucifer plants to determine how these plants are able to select the most appropriate pollen grains for fertilization. In this family, initial pollen recognition by the pistil occurs shortly after pollen grains land on the top of the pistil. Foreign pollen grains are largely ignored; while resources are provided by the pistil to related compatible pollen grains for hydration, and pollen tube growth through the top of the pistil (Compatible Pollen Response). The pollen tubes then grow down the pistil to reach ovules for fertilization. In addition, many species in the crucifer family have a system where self-pollen is rapidly recognized and rejected (Self-Incompatible Pollen Response). The main function of this latter system is to prevent inbreeding. The overall goal of this grant is to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the "Compatible Pollen Response" and the "Self-Incompatible Pollen Response" in crucifers. Three related crucifer species will be studied: Brassica napus (canola), Arabidopsis lyrata (rock cress), and Arabidopsis thaliana (mouse-ear cress). These species will be used to exploit the unique advantages of each system in answering outstanding questions in this area, and to explore conserved mechanisms in the pollen recognition systems across all three species. My research group has identified novel factors regulating these processes, and in this grant application, a series of experiments are proposed to further study these factors in determining: i) how self-pollen is recognized and rejected; and ii) how the pistil provides resources to compatible pollen for successful fertilization. This research will lead to significant discoveries into how crucifer plants regulate post-pollination processes and may provide new strategies for improving agricultural crop seed production.