Self-incompatibility Recognition and Inhibition in Nicotiana alata

Abstract

Self-incompatibility is a clear manifestation of cellular recognition between the pollen and the sporophytic tissues of the pistil. However, there have been no experimental studies on the biochemical basis of self-incompatibility recognition (see Shivanna and Johri 1985). Our recent investigations on Petunia, using an in vitro bioassay in which self-pollen grains are selectively recognised and inhibited, have indicated the involvement of lectin-like components of the pollen and specific sugar moiety of the pistil in self-incompatibility recognition (Sharma and Shivanna 1982, 1983; Sharma et al. 1985). We have extended these studies to Nicotiana alata and this paper presents the details of the in vitro bioassay and the biochemical basis of self-incompatibility recognition.