The respiration and fertility of Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir) pollen

Abstract

Respiration rate and fertility appeared to be closely correlated in Douglas-fir pollen. As the ability of the pollen to respire declined (with age or adverse storage conditions), so did the number of filled seed after pollination. A threshold value for loss of fertility in Douglas fir could be about 20 nmol O2 per 100 mg pollen per minute. Some Douglas-fir pollen lots with low respiration rates induced considerable seed cone abortion.