PLANT REPRODUCTION SYSTEM

The reproduction mechanism of a

particular plant species or the way
it reproduces determines

its genetic characteristics
the breeding approach.
1. SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
Using sex organs to form
next generation / to produce
seeds.


Important steps:

1. Production of gametes (gametogenesis)
2. Pollination Transfer of pollen from anther
(male organ) to the stigma (female organ).
3. Fertilization The union of male and female
gametes to produce new genotypes.

1. SEXUAL REPRODUCTION (CONT.)



POLLINATION
Transfer of pollen from anther
(male organ) to the stigma
(female organ).

Two kinds of pollination,
Self pollination
Cross pollination
Transfer of pollen from
anther to stigma of the
same flower / plant
SELF POLLINATION
Natural mechanisms that
encourages self pollination:

1. Cleistogamy
Pollination happens when
flower is still closed.
Example: Rice

SELF POLLINATION
2. Stigma protected by
anther
Anthesis and pollination
occur instantaneously
once the flower blooms.
Many pollen are
produced, covering the
stigma, hence
preventing pollination by
pollen from outside.
Example: lime, tomato
and chilli



SELF POLLINATION (CONT.)
Chilli flower
3. Stigma and anther
protected by other parts of
flower.
Male (stamen) and
female (pistil) organs
covered by keel, i.e. two
fused petals.
Example: Leguminosae
family, sub-family
Papilionoideae.


SELF POLLINATION (CONT.)
Transfer of pollen from
anther to stigma of flower of
different plant.
CROSS POLLINATION
Natural mechanisms to
promote cross pollination:

1. Dieocious

Male and female flowers are
formed on different plants.
Have male and female
plants.
Example: Papaya, salak
CROSS POLLINATION(CONT.)
Male salak flower
Female salak flower
2. Monoecious

Male and female
flowers are in
separate positions
on the same plant
but mature at
slightly different
times.
Example: Oil palm, corn
and rubber.


CROSS POLLINATION(CONT.)
3. Dichogamy
Anther and stigma from
hemaphrodite flower or
flower of monoecious
plant mature at different
times.
Protogyne
Stigma (female flower)
matures before anther (male
flower).
Example: Potato, cassava
and cashew.
CROSS POLLINATION(CONT.)
Protogyne: Potato
flower
CROSS POLLINATION(CONT.)
3. Dichogamy (cont.)

Protandry
Anther (male flower)
matures before stigma
(female flower).
Example: Starfruit and
rubber.

Protandry: Starfruit
flower
4. Self-incompatibility

Pollens are unable to fertilize
ovule (female gamete) of the
same flower/plant due to
genetic factor (self
incompatibility gene)

Example: Potato, passion fruit and
starfruit.

CROSS POLLINATION(CONT.)
In some species, there are more than
one mechanism to promote cross
pollination:
1. Rubber and corn: monoecious and
protandry.
2. Potato, Sweet potato: Self-
incompatibility and protogyne
3. Starfruit & passion fruit: Self-
incompatibility and protandry

CROSS POLLINATION(CONT.)
METHODS TO DETERMINE
MODES OF POLLINATION
1. Identify flower formation system.
2. Isolate plants.
No fruit/seed cross pollinated
Fruit set/seed set self pollinated and
possibly cross pollinated
3. Selfing.
To observe the effects of inbreeding.
Present cross pollinated.
Absent / minimal self pollinated.

2. ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
Does not involve sex or union
of male and female gametes.

Mechanisms:-
1. Vegetative reproduction
2. Apomixis

VEGETATIVE REPRODUCTION
o Stem/branch/root cuttings
e.g. cassava
o Grafting e.g. rubber,
rambutan & durian
o Rhizome e.g. tumeric &
ginger
o Stolon e.g. grass
o Tuber e.g. potato & sweet
potato
o Tiller e.g. pineapple ,
sugarcane & banana
APOMIXIS
Formation of seeds without
union of gametes, i.e.
fertilization.
APOMIXIS (CONT.)
Apogamy Embryo formation from synergids or
antipodals


Apospory Embryo develops
from somatic cell such as
nucellus and integument.

Diplospory Embryo develops
from megasporocyte.

Adventitious embryo Embryo
develops directly from nucellus
and integument cells without
involving embryo sac cells.

Parthenogenesis Embryo
develops from unfertilized eggs.
APOMIXIS (CONT.)

1. Obligate apomixis
Apomixis reproduction
is the main method of
reproduction.
Example: mangosteen

APOMIXIS (CONT.)
2. Facultative
apomixis

Both apomixis and
sexual reproduction
occur.
Example: Guinea
grass (Panicum
maximum), Citrus
sp.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CROSS
POLLINATED, SELF POLLINATED AND
ASEXUAL PLANTS
Characteristic Cross
pollinated
Self pollinated Asexual
Population Heterogeneous Homogeneous Homogeneous
Genotype Heterozygous Homozygous Heterozygous
Gamete Different Similar Different
Progeny Different &
heterozygous
Similar &
homozygous
Similar &
heterozygous
Inbreeding
depression
Present Absent Present
Incompatibility Present Absent Present